Gillingham secured their first point under Ady Pennock in a thrilling 2-2 League One draw against table-toppers Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.

Billy Sharp opened the scoring for the Blades but the Gills’ Josh Wright scored a quick double to change the game before Kieron Freeman smashed home an equaliser.

Sharp (32) netted his 18th goal of the season when Caolan Lavery’s pass found him just inside the box and without hesitation he fired the ball into the bottom left corner.

Wright (51) then managed to brush off Chris Basham’s challenge in the box, to finish cooly with the outside of his boot from inside the six-yard box.

Wright (58) doubled his tally for the game, reacting well to Max Ehmer’s headed flick to roll the ball under Simon Moore.

The Blades tied the scores again though when Freeman (61) smashed home the equaliser from close range after Stuart Nelson failed to keep hold of Lavery’s shot.

United pressed until the end with Lavery, Sharp and substitute Marc McNulty all seeing their efforts fly wide or saved by an inspired Stuart Nelson who had kept the Gills in the game throughout.

The point sees The Gills stay 17th in League One, but gives Pennock something to build on and they welcome AFC Wimbledon to Priestfield on Tuesday night.

 

Sheffield United line up: Moore, Fleck, O’Connell, Basham, Lavery (McNulty 72), Sharp, Done (Scougall 79), Coutts, Freeman, Ebanks-Landell, Duffy.

Subs not used: Ramsdale, Wright, Riley, Wilson, Reed.

Goals: Sharp (32), Freeman (61).

Booked: Duffy (81).

Gillingham line up: Nelson, Jackson, Herd (Osadebe H/T), Ehmer, Oshilaja, Wagstaff, Hessenthaler (Byrne 84), McDonald, List (Donnelly 57), Dack, Wright.

Subs not used: Knott, Hadler, Dickenson, Emmanuel-Thomas.

Goals: Wright (51) & (58).

Booked: Wright (55), Oshilaja (59)

Referee: Ben Toner (Lancashire).

Attendance: 20,649 (307 Gills)