Gillingham end 2022 rooted to the bottom of League Two after a last minute goal consigned them to yet another defeat – this time at Sutton United.
Neil Harris’ side looked like they were going to come back from a goal down to claim a precious point, having scored only their seventh league goal of the season, but conceded late on to ensure they will start 2023 at the very bottom of the Football League and desperate for the January transfer window to open.
New owner Brad Galinson has his work cut out to assemble a squad capable of climbing the table and on this showing, most of the current squad should be shipped out to make way.
The visitors were heading for a share of the points until Craig Eastmond’s dramatic goal in the third minute of time added on.
Sutton had gone ahead through an Elkan Baggott own goal two minutes before the break, with Robbie McKenzie levelling 12 minutes from time.
The best early chances fell to the away side but Dom Jefferies headed wide from close range from Alex MacDonald’s fine cross.
Sutton keeper Jack Rose then beat away a Callum Harriott long-range strike.
Gillingham gifted Sutton a 43rd-minute lead when Baggott turned the ball into his own net after Omar Bugiel headed Eastmond’s pin-point delivery back across goal.
Eastmond then went close with a 25-yard effort which flew over.
Mikael Mandron almost levelled when he turned Jefferies’ cross just wide but the Gills got the equaliser when McKenzie fired home.
There was a final twist though when Eastmond stunned the away fans with a strike from the edge of the box, but the Gills remain three points from safety after Colchester United lost at home against AFC Wimbledon.
The Gills will now need to lift themselves for the New Year’s Day trip to Stevenage where they will take on a side managed by former boss Steve Evans, who themselves go into the game sitting second in the league and pushing for promotion.
Neil Harris is a man very much under pressure and whether new owner Brad Galinson and chairman Paul Fisher will stick with him is very much open for debate.
On paper, this has to be one of the weakest Gillingham squads in history and 2022 will be a year that many fans will want to forget, however 2023 looks very bright.
Sutton United: Rose, Kizzi, Goodliffe (Pierre 73), John, Hart (Beautyman 35), Boldewijn, Eastmond, Smith, Randall (Fadhunsi 72), Neufville, Buigel (Kouassi 79).
Subs not used: Dundas, Gambin.
Goals: Baggott (og 43), Eastmond (93).
Booked: Bugiel, Eastmond.
Gillingham: Turner, Wright, Ehmer, Baggott (Mandron H/T), Tutonda, McKenzie, Williams, Harriott (Adelakun 63), Jefferies, MacDonald (O’Keefe 85), Kashket (Lee 92).
Subs not used: Holtam, Alexander, Green.
Goal: McKenzie (78).
Booked: Jefferies.
Referee: Thomas Parsons
Attendance: 3316