A last gasp strike from Luke Jephcott condemned Steve Evans and Gillingham to a long Saturday night trip home from Devon.
At the end of a touch week for the City, Jephcott’s 88th minute drive past keeper Jamie Cumming will have lifted the Devonian spirits after the horrifying events in the City this week but that is scant consolation to the Gills boss or players as after getting so near to a point, this result would have done nothing for the frustration levels of all involved.
In an incredibly tight game with few chances, manager Evans will have learned a great deal about his side but the need for a striker to support top scorer Vadaine Oliver is becoming clear…
The Gills boss made three changes from the opening day draw with Lincoln as Ryan Jackson, John Akinde and Carayol came in for Rhys Bennett, Danny Lloyd and Olly Lee with skipper Kyle Dempsey one of those returning from the midweek Cup win at Crawley.
In an incredibly tight tussle chances were at a premium throughout, and the Gills best came in the opening exchanges. Mustapha Carayol and David Tutonda did well down the left and the full back’s cross saw Oliver extend keeper Michael Cooper into a good save, before Jamie Cumming was called upon to make a couple of terrific saves to deny Ben Scott’s header and Pantuche Camara’s shot.
Clear chances were even rarer after the break, and it looked like Plymouth’s week of sorrow would be extended until Jephcott beat Dempsey to a get on the end of a Max Ehmer clearance and he gave Cumming no chance with a drive across the keeper and into the corner.
Steve Evans will know how agonisingly close his side were to a point, but will also accept that once again, this team is very much a work in progress.
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE – Cooper, Wilson, Scarr, Broom (Gillesphey 95), Edwards, Hardie, Grant, Houghton, Galloway, Camara (Randell 93), Jephcott.
Subs not used – Burton, Gillesphey, Law, Craske, Tomlinson, Shirley.
Goal: Jephcott (88).
Booked: Scarr (95).
GILLINGHAM – Cumming, Jackson (Bennett 64), Ehmer, Tucker, Tutonda, Phillips, O’Keefe (Lee 61), Dempsey, Carayol, Akinde (Lloyd 55), Oliver.
Subs not used – Chapman, Lintott, Akehurst, Sithole.
Booked: O’Keefe (44), Tucker (62).
REFEREE – Mr Charles Breakspear
Attendance: 10,854
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC