After the Lord Mayors Show… That was the verdict of many of the Priestfield faithful despite Steve Lovell’s side rallying well to earn a deserved point coming from behind against newly promoted Coventry City.

Following the 4-1 midweek defeat yet in most opinions terrific performance against Sunderland, the Gills struggled to get past a tough Coventry side.  They weren’t helped by losing both Mark Byrne and Regan Charles-Cook with first half injuries and were rocked when Johnson Clark-Harris dived to head the visitors in front as the second half began in torrential rain.

But it was one of the Gills substitutes, Elliot List, who grabbed the equaliser after a brilliant run and fiercely hit shot cum centre that flew into the net – whether or not it was off the woodwork or a player wearing white doesn’t matter.

The Gills were level and a point was gained and came close late on to winning the contest, but whilst the manager will have been left disappointed with his side’s performance, what was perhaps more disappointing was the drop in the gate in three days – from 8,438 on Wednesday to 4,880 on Saturday…

It was a tense start with neither side able to get on top.  Gills were grateful to skipper Gabby Zakuani early on as Andreu nipped in behind the defence and lifted the ball over Tomas Holy only for the skipper to clear the ball off the line.  Brandon Hanlon continued from where he left off in midweek and his pace caused the City defence problems all afternoon and from his cross, keeper Burge spilled the ball. but Josh Parker could only shoot straight at the relieved Coventry stopper.

A short time after, Burge was even more relieved when he could only block Hanlon’s shot when he should really have done better, and he was even more grateful to see the Assistants’ flag flying as Tom Eaves fired the rebound home.  At the other end, Thomas was denied by a fantastic block from Max Ehmer and Andreu whistled a drive inches over the bar before Hanlan went close again as a looping header didn’t quite loop enough as it landed on top of the net.

During the break, the heavens opened, and the second half began in torrential rain and within a minute Clarke-Harris scored with a diving header as he was totally un-marked in the box.

The goal seemed to knock the Gills out of their stride as they struggled to get going and Coventry went close twice with Andreu and Thomas before List’s moment of inspired brilliance.  Collecting the ball on the edge of the box, he left two defenders in his wake before somehow skipping along the goal-line as he unleashed what proved to be an unstoppable drive that flew into the City net.

Chances came and went at both ends although the Gills creativity seemed to suffer from their first half changes and weren’t helped it has to be said by the withdrawal of Hanlan who if he continues to impress will not take too long to become a real favourite at Priestfield.

But the Gills now head back to Yorkshire next weekend having snapped their losing streak but now to face a Barnsley side fancied by many to do well this season.

 

GILLINGHAM – Holy, O’Neill, Garmston, Ehmer, Zakuani, Hanlan (Wilkinson 80), Eaves, Charles-Cook (List 40), Parker, Bingham, Byrne (Reilly 30).

Subs not used: Lacey, Fuller, Nasseri, Hadler.

Goal: List (70).

Booked: Zakuani (44), O’Neill (48), Garmston (67).

COVENTRY CITY – Burge, Grimmer, Mason, Willis, Doyle, Hyam, Clarke-Harris (Bakayoko 88), Bayliss, Andreu, Thomas (Allassani 81), Shipley (Ponticelli 87).

Subs not used: Davies, Hiwula-Mayifuila, Brown, O’Brien.

Goal: Clarke-Harris (46).

Referee: Mr Michael Salisbury

Attendance: 4,880 (692 Coventry).