If Gillingham do fail to make the post season in League Two then the past five days in Yorkshire will have been pivotal in the demise as for the second game in a row Stephen Clemence and his side return to Kent pointless.

It was another defeat that hurts as with other results going against the Gills, they are now five points off the play-off places with just three games to play and the chances of reaching post season action seem to be receding by the day, if not quicker!

After the Harrogate horror show on Monday and the total capitulation in the last half hour, the Head Coach made three changes with Jake Turner returning in goal, and defenders Shad Ogie and Scott Malone returning to the defence, and Turner was called into early action saving well from Bradford’s veteran striker Andy Cook.

Bobby Pointon then had another chance for the home side but shot wide before home keeper Sam Walker pulled off a great save to tip over Oli Hawkins’ effort, whilst Tim Dieng had an effort blocked and cleared off the line by Dan Oyegoke. 

Conor Masterson came so close to giving the Gills the lead as the opening half swung end to end but somehow, keeper Walker got his leg in the way of the ball and the chance was cleared. Back came the home side and Turner made an amazing save to turn aside Jamie Walker’s effort but the home side were to seize the initiative on the stroke of half time as Brad Halliday’s curling effort beat Turner’s out stretched hand and crept into the corner of the net.

The home side looked most likely for a second goal after the break and Turner was by far the busier keeper. He was relieved to see Tyreik Wright’s effort miss by a fraction as it seemed destined for the top corner; made a super double handed save to parry Jamie Walker’s shot to safety before pulling off a magnificent save to keep out Cook’s header.

The Gills stayed in the game and looked for the equaliser but the closest they were to come saw Josh Andrews come within a whisker of his first Gillingham goal as he was played through by Josh Walker and saw his curling effort flash agonizingly wide.

With three games to go, Clemence and his players must now be left to reflect on the potential opportunity that they have missed out on as they make the long trip home from Yorkshire pointless again!

Bradford City: Sam Walker, Oyegoke, Platt, Kelly (Tomkinson), Halliday, Jamie Walker, Smallwood, Wright, Pointon (Wadsworth), Kavanagh (Richards), Cook
Subs – Doyle, Oduor, Smith, Chapman

Gillingham – Turner, Hutton, Masterson (Jonny Williams), Ehmer, Ogie, Malone, Coleman, Dieng (Andrews), Lapslie, Mahoney, Hawkins (Josh  Walker)

Subs – Morris, Max Clark, McKenzie, Jayden Clarke

Referee – Mr Duckworth

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC