Max Clark’s second half penalty ensured that the Gareth Ainsworth era at Gillingham began with a return as the Gills secured a 1-1 draw at Harrogate Town in the new managers first game in charge.
Clark sent home keeper James Belshaw the wrong way from the spot – after Oli Hawkins had been fouled trying to get on the end of Euan Williams’ blocked shot – to equalise the home sides own spot kick after Glenn Morris had been penalised for bringing down Josh March just before the break, with March dusting himself down and sending the Gills keeper the wrong way to put the home side ahead.
Skipper Amani Little missed the trip to Yorkshire through suspension in Ainsworth only change to John Coleman’s last Gillingham eleven meaning a recall for Jonny Williams who started his first game since the home humiliation to Bromley in January.
And Jonny Williams went close early on with a curling effort which was just too high after Elliott Nevitt had headed a Romeao Hutton cross wide as the Gills started well.
Jack Muldoon had the best early chance for the hosts as he broke clear but as he cut into the Gillingham box, he could only shoot straight at Morris. The home side did get it right though five minutes from the break as March jumped onto the ball from a misplaced clearance and after being brought down by Morris, the same player hammered home the spot kick.
That would have proved almost impossible for the for last Gills side that Jonny Williams started in (against Bromley at New Year) to have come back from, but there is a steel and togetherness now in this team that Coleman instilled that Ainsworth was able to draw on and the visitors came out after the break in search of an equaliser and after getting on top and following a double change, they were level!
Euan Williams and Hawkins replaced JJ Morgan and Joe Gbode and three minutes later the Gills were level – Euan’s shot had been well blocked and before he could have an effort, Hawkins had his legs taken from under him and referee Rock pointed to the same penalty spot he had in the first half, and Max Clark drilled the spot kick into the net sending the magnificent away support wild – over 500 of the faithful had made the trip to Yorkshire as opposed to the 78 to made the trip South for Harrogate’s win over Mark Bonner’s Gillingham in November!
Muldoon and March had chances for the home side but Morris and his defence held firm before Toby Sims tried to lob the Gills number one after a free kick had been blocked but got under the ball too much!
Stoppage time saw chances at both ends – Tom Cursons will be cursing that he couldn’t test Morris when he was unmarked on the penalty spot, whilst Jayden Clarke was inches away from winning it for Ainsworth and his first goal of the calendar year, but his drive flashed inches wide.
So, a point from his first outing in charge and now for Ainsworth’s bow in front of the faithful on Tuesday night under the Priestfield lights when Play Off chasers Colchester United come a calling – it could be quite a night!
HARROGATE TOWN – Belshaw, Moon, Burrell, Daly (Cursons), Sims, O’Connor, Muldoon, Taylor, March, Fox, Morris
Subs – Oxley, Asare, Cornelius, Sanderson, Dooley, Gibson
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Smith, Masterson, Gale, Max Clark, McKenzie, Jonny Williams (Jayden Clarke), Morgan (Euan Williams), Gbode (Hawkins), Nevitt (Wakeling)
Subs – Holtam, Ogie, Rowe
REFEREE – Mr. Rock
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC