A valuable point gained in their relegation fight, or two precious ones dropped in their battle to escape the drop? That’s the question Gillingham fans were asking after their 2-2 draw at Cheltenham Town.
The Gillingham faithful who made the trip to the Cotswolds on Good Friday will have left Whaddon Road in the hope that despite Cheltenham coming from behind twice, the point that Neil Harris’ side bring back to Kent could well prove to be the most valuable of the season.
It lifted the Gills out of the League One’s bottom four, and puts the survival hopes firmly back in their own hands with the focus now on the Easter Monday massive home clash with Fleetwood Town with whom Gillingham swapped places in the survival scrap.
Ben Reeves deputised for injured skipper Stuart O’Keefe whilst fit again Robbie McKenzie was recalled, and the Gills started well and were ahead inside the first quarter of an hour. Ryan Jackson’s shot was turned round a post by home keeper Owen Evans, and from the resulting corner from Olly Lee, the ball found its’ way to Vadaine Oliver – from McKenzie’s touch – to net his eleventh goal of the season.
The two keepers then took centre stage – Evans saving magnificently from Reeves’ volley after Jackson’s long throw had been helped on by Conor Masterson, whilst Aaron Chapman did really well to keep out Liam Secombe’s shot that came through a crowd of players.
The home side did draw level just before the break – former Hythe striker Alfie May was denied by Chapman and as the ball ran loose, Callum Wright levelled.
Gills rallied again after the break and were ahead again on the hour. Ben Thompson’s cross was brilliantly headed down by Oliver for Reeves to meet in his stride and curled a stunner into the bottom corner.
It was so very nearly three moments later as Lee’s free-kick crashed off the frame of Cheltenham’s goal, but only a tremendous save from Chapman – to keep out Will Boyle’s thumping header – kept the Gills in front.
With twelve minutes left though, the home side did equalise. Sercombe’s corner was headed back across goal by Sean Long and Kion Etete levelled.
In stoppage time, the Gills came so close to claiming all three points when Masterson reacted quickest when Thompson’s free kick went into the wall only to see his effort beat Evans only to hit the post.
But with results elsewhere (with the exception of Morecambe’s win at Charlton) going the Gills way, it’s now all focused-on Monday’s winner effectively take all clash at Priestfield with Fleetwood Town.
With Crewe already gone, and Doncaster and AFC Wimbledon surely on borrowed time, it now surely means it’s one of three for the final relegation hole! Gills are still to host Fleetwood and Rotherham whilst they travel to Portsmouth – Morecambe host Portsmouth on Monday before arguably the most difficult final two games against Play Off chasers – at MK Dons next Saturday before hosting Sunderland on the last day. Fleetwood come to Priestfield on Monday and then host fellow strugglers AFC Wimbledon and (in their game in hand) Play Off chasing Sheffield Wednesday before finishing at Bolton on the final day.
CHELTENHAM TOWN – Evans, Long, Pollock, Thomas (Ramsey 62), Sercombe, May, Boyle, Wright, Hutchinson (Freestone 83), Bonds, Ethete.
Subs not used – Raglan, Chapman, Lloyd, Flinders, Brown.
Goals: Wright (40), Etete (78).
Booked: Hutchinson (57), Long (85).
GILLINGHAM – Chapman, Jackson, Tucker, Ehmer, Masterson, McKenzie, Lee (Phillips 74), Thompson, Reeves (Tutonda 81), Oliver, Kelman.
Subs not used – Dahlberg, Maghoma, Akehurst, Sithole, Dickson-Peters.
Goals: Oliver (11), Reeves (59).
Booked: Oliver (88).
REFEREE – Mr David Rock
Attendance: 4415 (705 Gills)
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.