Keeper Glenn Morris was hailed as the turning “hero” as Elkan Baggott’s second goal in eight days salvaged Gillingham a point and maintained their unbeaten run and denied Barrow their first win in five games.
With the Cumbrians already a goal to the good, goal scorer Josh Kay was magnificently denied from the penalty spot by Morris as the Gills stopper plunged to his left to keep out the spot kick – the stopper’s second penalty save at Priestfield this season.
The miss – or that should probably read save – finally woke up the Priestfield crowd and his teammates who had frustrated after a bright start, and with less than fifteen minutes remaining, Baggott rose brilliantly above the Barrow defence to power home a far post thumping header from Will Wright’s deep corner.
Overall, Barrow’s first visit to this part of Kent for the first time in half a century will go down as another step forward for Harris’ side who seem to be evolving and slowly improving week by week.
After a slow start, the thirty-minute mark seemed to kick start everything. Kay curled a beauty over Morris but against the frame of the Rainham End goal before the Gills moved up the other end, and visitor’s keeper Paul Farman pulled off an outstanding fingertip save to keep the score line blank as he managed to get fingertips to Hakeeb Adelakun’s pile driver.
Kay though wasn’t to be denied and has to be applauded – however reluctantly – as he was able to swivel, and this time give Morris no chance just before the break.
The Gills though could have been level at the break, as they had loud penalty appeals for handball turned away by referee Carl Boyeson… at the time seemed possibly correct, but on inspection of TV replays… let’s just say the defender’s arm did appear in an “un-natural” position, but there seems to be enough questions in games these days without extending the dreaded VAR into the Football League!!!
Anyhow after the break, Barrow were handed a guilt edged chance to double their lead when the referee ruled that Baggott had fouled Kay in the box as a cross came in from the left, but Morris became the Gills hero – and potential saviour – as he kept out the visitor’s strikers’ penalty.
The home side levelled sixteen minutes from time thanks to the “bouncing” Baggott and the home side sensed the three points were there for the taking. Scott Kashket went close with a drive before Wright forced Farman to block a free kick, but no blue shirt was on hand to force the ball home!
Seven now unbeaten for the Gills who now face the ultimate midweek test as they brave the A2 and Blackwall Tunnel on a trip to leader Leyton Orient on Tuesday night.
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Wright, Ehmer, Baggott, Alexander (Law 71), Adelakun, McKenzie, Jefferies (O’Keefe 64), MacDonald (Green 64), Mandron (Walker H/T), Kashket (Gbode 85).
Subs not used – Turner, Mnoga.
Goal: Baggott (74).
BARROW – Farman, Brough, Canavan, Waters, Kay, White (Foley 79), Neal, Warren, Moyo (Gordon 75), Ray, Whitfield (Stevens 71).
Subs not used – Lillis, Smales-Braithwaite, Kenlock.
Goal: Kay (35).
Booked: Ray (9), Canavan (75).
REFEREE – Mr Carl Boyeson
Attendance: 5,034
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.