Mark Byrne scored a late equaliser as Gillingham picked up a point at second-placed Shrewsbury Town in League One.

 

Abu Ogogo’s early goal had the Shrews on course to return to top spot in League One before Byrne struck nine minutes from time to extend the Gills’ impressive run to just one defeat in their last 13 games.

Ogogo fired Shrewsbury in front in the 14th minute when he broke into the box to convert Shaun Whalley’s inviting low cross from the right. It was captain Ogogo’s first goal since April 2016.

Nathan Thomas saw a shot from just outside the box deflected just off target as the hosts continued to ask questions of the Gillingham defence.

Sheffield United loanee Thomas then drove over from even further out.

Gillingham goalkeeper Tomas Holy tipped a James Bolton volley over the bar midway through the second half before Byrne pulled Gills level in the 82nd minute with a fine shot from a tight angle to the top corner of the net.

Byrne then made a goalline clearance from Ogogo’s late volley to ensure Gillingham collected a point.

The point sees The Gills stay 11th in League One, just five points outside the play-off places and Steve Lovell’s side now head to Bury on Saturday with the hope they can snatch another three points from the 23rd placed team.

 

Shrewsbury Town line up (3-4-2-1): Henderson; Bolton, Nsiala, Beckles; Hendrie, Ogogo ©, Godfrey, Lowe; Whalley (Rodman, 90), Thomas (Payne, 63); C Morris.

Subs not used: MacGillivray (gk), Riley, Sadler, Jones, John-Lewis.

Goal: Ogogo (14).

Booked: Thomas (49).

Gillingham line up (3-5-2): Holy; Ehmer, Zakuani ©, Nugent; O’Neill, Hessenthaler, Byrne, Reilly (Martin, 69), Ogilvie; Eaves (Wilkinson, 75), Parker.

Subs not used: Hadler (gk), Garmston, Wagstaff, List, Moussa.

Goal: Byrne (82).

Booked: Nugent (36).

Referee: Craig Hicks

Attendance: 4,839 (162 Gills)