Gillingham threw away a two goal lead to somehow lose 4-3 against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday afternoon.
After a well respected minute’s applause for former Gills Director Dave Lee who sadly died on Monday evening, fans sat through a seven goal thriller.
Gavin Tomlin’s home debut started well as he put The Gills in front on just four minutes taking Danny Jackman’s ball in his stride before clipping the ball past Wombles keeper Seb Brown.
He was in the side as Andy Hessenthaler made four changes to the side that lost at Shrewsbury with Jo Kuffour, Joe Martin and Danny Kedwell restored to the starting line up.
Curtis Weston, Chris Whelpdale and Dennis Oli all dropped to the bench while skipper Andy Frampton missed the game with a slight hamstring injury.
The Gills failed to capitalise on some early pressure after taking the lead and the visitors, backed by 1,163 travelling fans caused some nervous moments in the Gillingham defence.
However, it was Gillingham that doubled their lead four minutes after the break when Tomlin turned provider, setting Jo Kuffour free to slot the ball home.
Former Ebbsfleet United striker Luke Moore pulled a goal back for The Dons on the hour after great work from West Ham loanee George Moncur, but Tomlin headed home his second of the afternoon just two minutes later seemingly settling the game.
However, the Wombles had different ideas and reduced the arrears to just one when Jack Payne put past his own keeper from a corner and the game was turned on its head when Matt Lawrence conceded a penalty.
Up stepped Jack Midson to calmly slot the ball past Ross Flitney for 3-3 and at that point the game could have gone either way.
With the game now in the balance, it came as no surprise that the visitors went on the snatch all three points when Midson clipped the ball home, deflecting off Joe Martin to send Gillingham crashing to defeat.
FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM 3-4 AFC WIMBLEDON
The defeat sees The Gills drop out of the play-off picture into eighth place in League Two, some eleven points behind leaders Southend United with the long trip to Accrington Stanley to come next Saturday.
Gillingham line up: Flitney, Lee, Richards, Lawrence, Martin, Tomlin (Oli 84), J Payne, Montrose, Jackman (Whelpdale 81), Kuffour (Weston 70), Kedwell.
Subs not used: Gazzaniga, King.
Goals: Tomlin (4) & (62), Kuffour (54).
Wimbledon line up: Brown, Hatton, Gwillim, S Moore, Mitchel-King, McNaughton, Knott (Kiernan 84), Moncur, Midson, Harrison (Stuart 91), L Moore (Yussuff 70).
Subs not used: Bush, Turner.
Goals: L Moore (60), J Payne (og 73), Midson (pen 80) & (89).
Booked: Midson (51), Moncur (90).
Referee: Mr Malone
Attendance: 6,236 (1,163 Wimbledon)