Gillingham’s miserable run of luck – and results – continued as they were denied a deserved battling point by a stoppage time own goal that gave Portsmouth three points at a windswept Priestfield.
Against one of League One’s form teams – Pompey arrived in Kent unbeaten in seven; winning five – Steve Evans’ battered and patched up team were within seconds of a massive morale boosting point when Jack Tucker’s attempt to clear sub-Michael Jacobs’ low cross buried itself in the bottom corner of Jamie Cumming’s net leaving the Gills faithful asking just when will lady luck return to Priestfield?
Danny Lloyd and Stuart O’Keefe returned to the starting eleven after missing in midweek whilst Connor Ogilvie returned to Priestfield albeit in the “unfamiliar” red and black of Portsmouth!
Gillingham always knew they would be in for a tough afternoon and Pompey flew out of the blocks and but for a truly stunning save from Cumming, the visitors would have been in front after only two minutes – George Hirst tried to lift the ball over the Gills keeper who somehow back-pedalled superbly to magnificently touch the ball onto the crossbar.
Cumming was again in fine form after just eleven minutes with a remarkable double save – first getting down really well to keep out Hirst’s shot before recovering brilliantly to claw Mahlon Romeo’s effort over the bar and into the Rainham End.
The Gills’ best chance of the opening half came when Ogilvie didn’t control on halfway allowing John Akinde to power his way through, but the big striker just couldn’t get enough on his shot with defenders arriving from both sides as he shot straight at keeper Gavin Bazunu and the chance was gone.
The second period began with Cumming bravely denying Marcus Harness before O’Keefe tested Bazunu with a fizzing low drive that the keeper did well to hold.
Referee Whitestone then became a central figure as Akinde was sent crashing by Bazunu after touching the ball past the keeper – only the official knows why a spot kick wasn’t awarded as few in the crowd could!
With the game very much in the balance, Lloyd raced onto Akinde’s lovely through ball, but he couldn’t keep his shot down to test Bazunu and the ball sailed high over the bar.
Just as the Gills were within touching distance of a fine point disaster struck – Jacobs’ driven centre; Tucker instinctively stuck out a foot; the ball disappeared into the bottom corner leaving the Gills distraught and the travelling Pompey fans celebrating what had seemed an unlikely three points.
The win takes Portsmouth to within two points of the top six whilst the Gills slip into the division’s bottom four. Gillingham now have ten days off before facing an enormous two away trips as they first try to become the first team to beat leaders Rotherham United since September before what already looks like a real six-pointer at Fleetwood.
Steve Evans will be hoping his luck changes on the injury front whilst the vast majority of club’s faithful will be hoping that the manager will still be manager on December 7th…
GILLINGHAM – Cumming, Jackson, Ehmer, Tucker, McKenzie, O’Keefe, Adshead (Akehurst 59), Carayol (Sithole 83), Lee, Lloyd, Akinde.
Subs not used – Chapman, Lintott, Gale, Gbode.
PORTSMOUTH – Bazunu, Freeman, Ogilvie, Williams, Romeo, Morrell, Thompson (Azeez 64), Hackett (Jacobs 81), Harness, Curtis, Hirst (Harrison 71).
Subs not used – Bass, Jewitt-White, Vincent, Ahadme.
Goal: Tucker (og 93).
Booked: Romeo (82).
REFEREE – Mr Dean Whitestone
Attendance: 5,637
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.