Conor Masterson’s eighty fourth minute header salvaged Gillingham a point that lifted Stephen Clemence’s side back into the League Two play-off places as the Gills salvaged a late draw against Tranmere Rovers. 

The Irish defenders late thumping header levelled against a Rovers side who had led since the fifth minute and in a frantic finale both sides thought they’d won the three points with the visitors having an effort come back off the inside of Glenn Morris’ post whilst at the other end Tim Dieng was denied a third goal in three games by a late handball decision. 

The Head Coach named an unchanged team for the third game running, and they made a fast start when Ashley Nadesan headed wide whilst at the other end Connor Jennings tested Morris from distance. 

The visitors were in front after only five minutes as Regan Hendry’s fine finish left Morris motionless as the ball flew in off the inside of a post. The Gills keeper was the hero on twenty minutes as somehow, he denied Harvey Saunders as the Tranmere man appeared to have beaten him. 

Dieng went close with a header whilst a Romeao Hutton driven centre flashed across the face of goal with only the merest of touches required. On the stroke of half time, the home side went even closer as Max Clark curled a free kick over the Rovers wall only for the ball to hit the top of the bar. 

Clemence made a double change at the break with Shad Ogie and Nadesan being replaced by George Lapslie and Connor Mahoney and five minutes after the break Oli Hawkins could not keep a head down from a Clark cross. 

Dieng was denied by a fabulous last-ditch block from a quick Gills break and Hawkins in the next attack shot at keeper Luke McGee before the Rainham End finally had something to cheer as Mahoney’s corner was powered home by Masterson as he arrived like a steam train to thump home his header. 

In a grandstand finish, Hawkins was desperately unlucky in the final minute as his glanced header missed the post by inches before the stoppage time drama, Hendry curling a beauty off the inside of Morris’ post and Dieng’s effort being ruled out for hands, and honours finished even. 

And to show how bizarre this play-off chase in League Two has become as the Gills dropped precious home points yet regain the final cherished place because of defeats to Walsall and Morecambe which allowed Gillingham and their next opponents on Tuesday night AFC Wimbledon to climb into seventh and eighth, respectively. 

GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie (Lapslie), Clark (Malone), Coleman (Walker), Dieng, Jonny Williams, Hawkins, Nadesan (Mahoney) 

Subs – Turner, McKenzie, Shaun Williams 

TRANMERE ROVERS – McGee, Lee, Yarney, Turnbull, Wood, Apter (Taylor), Merrie, Hendry, Saunders (Dennis), Jennings, Norris (Lewis) 

Subs – Murphy, McAlear, Pike, Belehouan 

REFEREE – Mr Linington 

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC