Gillingham came from behind to secure a precious League Two point against Grimsby Town at Blundell Park on Tuesday night.
Scoring their first goal in over 630 minutes of league football, The Gills will return to Kent grateful of the point, but wishing they’d claimed all three.
Having recently rejoined the club, Robbie McKenzie was immediately handed a start, slotting in at right back for Neil Harris’ side, but he wasn’t able to prevent the side from conceding early on.
Ryan Taylor put Grimsby ahead inside seven minutes when he turned home at the second attempt but Mikael Mandron quickly replied.
Both goals in the opening 45 minutes came from corners as Taylor netted after Andy Smith was denied by Glenn Morris at point-blank range.
Mandron finished a knockdown at the other end as Gillingham scored for only the second time this League Two season in their eighth match.
Scott Kashket was denied by Max Crocombe midway through the first half, before Grimsby struck the crossbar through Brendan Kiernan.
Kashket was to limp off at half time with what looked like a groin problem and must now be doubtful for Saturday’s clash against Mansfield Town at Priestfield.
Upon the restart, Hakeeb Adelakun flashed wide for Gillingham while Taylor saw a low drive hacked off the line at the other end as both teams underlined their intent to win the match.
However, while Mandron tested Crocombe once again and Grimsby forged several decent openings, the decisive strike never came.
Despite the point, The Gills slip to 22nd in League Two and with just six points from a possible 24, things are not looking great, although there were signs of improvement from this game.
Grimsby Town: Crocombe, Glennon, Smith, Waterfall, Efete, Holohan, Clifton, Richardson (Simmonds 80), Taylor, Morris (Hunt 75), Kiernan (Wearne 80)
Subs not used: Battersby, Maher, Green, Orsi.
Goal: Taylor (7).
Booked: Holohan (90).
Gillingham: Morris, Adelakun, Ehmer, Baggott, McKenzie, Law, O’Keefe, Williams, Reeves (MacDonald 87), Kashket (Green H/T), Mandron.
Subs not used: Turner, Alexander, Wright, Walker.
Goal: Mandron (14).
Booked: Adelakun (78), Mandron (86).
Referee: Andy Haines
Attendance: 5960 (125 Gills)
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.