The afternoon that saw the League leaders arrive at Priestfield saw arguably one of Gillingham’s best performances of the season as Stevenage were pegged backed by a potentially historic goal.
Elkan Baggott’s thunderbolt header just before the break – to equalise Danny Rose’s early magnificent header of his own – has sent the historians scrambling through the record books to see if an Indonesian has ever scored in the Football League before.
Whether it is the first or not, it’s Baggott’s first in Gillingham blue and was straight off the training ground. Will Wright’s free kick, whose reputation as a set piece taker seems to grow by the week, was exquisite as was the timed run of the Gillingham defender and his header screamed into the net to send the Rainham End into raptures to deservedly level things up.
Indeed, such was this an improved performance, the home “strugglers” could have been in front, but only Scott Kashket will be able to answer how he didn’t hit the net as he connected with Hakeeb Adelakun’s driven centre.
The let off sparked the leaders into life and Rose leaped high to thump a header beyond a despairing Glenn Morris in the Gills goal and for a period in the latter stages of the half looked as if they would double their lead.
The Gills wall though held firm and the crowd’s patience was rewarded as Wright and Baggott combined to put Neil Harris’ side back on level terms.
The second half was a tight affair with both sides wary of losing the point that they had so far banked. The Gills went close when Shaun Williams’ corner was agonisingly close to both Mika Mandron and Baggott but neither blue shirt could convert.
Stevenage sub Michael Bostwick tried his luck from distance and wasn’t too far away from Morris’ goal as the visitors but it was with one of the last kicks of the game, that the leaders were left holding their heads – Jordan Roberts managed to get through the Gills back line, but Morris did just enough so that the shot drifted wide of the post – or was it the collective breaths of the Rainham End – but a point was the least that the Gills deserved as the unbeaten run was extended to six in all competitions.
With Barrow due at Priestfield next for their first visit in over fifty years as the two last met in April 1972, the Gills boss will be hoping to add to the Cumbrians’ run of four successive defeats as his own side’s improvement continues…
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Alexander (Green 84), Wright, Ehmer, Baggott, Williams, McKenzie, MacDonald (Law 83), Adelakun (Jefferies 74), Kashket (Mnoga 84), Mandron (Walker 69).
Subs not used – Turner, Chambers.
Goal: Baggott (40).
Booked: Adelakun (59).
STEVENAGE – Ashby-Hammond, Wildin, Sweeney, Vancooten, Piergianni (Bostwick H/T), Earley, Gilbey, Reeves (Taylor 56), Roberts, Reid (Norris 56), Rose.
Subs not used – Chapman, Amoo, Clark, Read.
Goal: Rose (28).
Booked: Rose (39), Roberts (55), Earley (68).
REFEREE – Mr Ross Joyce
Attendance: 5,031
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.