A goal with literally the last kick of the game denied John Coleman his first Gillingham win as Grimsby Town struck late on to extend both side’s winless runs.
After gaining a point at Tranmere Rovers at the weekend, an own goal from Grimsby defender Doug Tharme gave the Gills a first lead under Coleman – a lead that was agonisingly close to being extended as Gillingham hit the frame of the goal twice during the second half – but a goal from Danny Rose in the seventh minute of time added on ensured a share of the spoils.
The Gills boss made three changes from the weekend with Joe Gbode, Sam Gale and loanee Asher Agbinone starting whilst Bradley Dack, still a way from full fitness and being able to play every minute was on the bench.
Grimsby started the brighter with Kieran Green shooting over from the game’s first chance. Gbode had the Gills first opportunity but wasn’t able to convert a ball from Agbinone, but the game wasn’t a classic as both sides strove to get an advantage.
Charles Vernam curled a free-kick over Glenn Morris’s goal for the home side and then Green sent a flying header wide before the Gills took the lead ten minutes from the break and for the second game on the bounce, it was an opposition player who netted for Coleman’s side. Romeao Hutton found Jack Nolan, and it was Nolan’s centre that Tharme steered into the bottom corner of his own net.
Lightening almost struck for a third time moments after half time – Shad Ogie’s ball into the box saw Harvey Rogers crash a header off his own bar.
Tim Dieng made his first appearance under the new boss from the bench and was so unlucky not to double the lead. Ogie and Agbinone combined brilliantly and as Dieng rose to meet the Crystal Palace loanee’s cross, the Frenchman’s header beat Wright only to hit the inside of the post with the rebound going straight into the relieved keepers’ arms.
The home went looking for the equaliser desperately as the minutes ticked by – Rose missed a golden chance when he couldn’t control a ball into the box, and then Morris pulled off a magnificent save to tip Jason Svanthorsson’s drive over the bar as the clock ticked round to ninety minutes.
Sadly, for the 137 Gills fans in the crowd, Rose was to have the final word as in the ninety-seventh minute he ghosted in to divert a ball into the Gills net to deny an improved performance three points.
Gillingham now return home to face second placed Notts County in Saturday’s early kick off at MEMS Priestfield – will that be the day for John Coleman’s first win in blue?
GRIMSBY TOWN – Wright, Khouri, Tharme, Rodgers, Cass, McEachran (Carson 95), Green, Thompson (Obikwu 79), Svanþórsson, Vernam (Luker 65), Rose.
Subs not used – Auton, Ainley, McJannet, Warren.
Goal: Rose (97).
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Gale (Jonny Williams 94), Ehmer, Ogie, McKenzie, Little, Khumbeni (Dieng 58), Nolan (Hawkins 80), Agbinone (Dack 81), Gbode.
Subs not used – Turner, Max Clark, Jayden Clarke.
Goal: Tharme (og 35).
Booked: Khumbeni (56), Little (69).
REFEREE – Mr. Mather
Attendance: 4239 (137 Gills).
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club