Ronan Hale’s second half strike ensured that Gillingham returned from Chesterfield with another League Two point on transfer deadline day.
After going behind in the first period, the Gills responded well and Hale on the hour held off defenders to squeeze home the equaliser which may have gone in last off former Gill Remeao Hutton, but it’s the Irishman’s goal undoubtedly and another point for Gareth Ainsworth’s side.
Lamin Sillah made his debut and Jack Daley was on the bench as the late window signings featured whilst Ollie Wright continued in goal and had a busy night.
The on-loan keeper did well early on to palm away Dilan Markanday’s effort, whilst Lewis Gordon should have tested Wright from Hutton’s centre.
Halfway through the half, Josh Koroma did ever so well to manoeuvre room for a low shot through a sea of bodies that Wright couldn’t have seen, and the home side were in front.
The Wright versus Markanday personal duel continued to the break as twice more the Gills stopper pulled off very good stops to keep the score at one nil.
On the first occasion, the Chesterfield man surged into the Gills box and was denied by the keeper’s right boot, whilst the second occasion, Andy Smith did well to stop the goalscorer Koroma bursting through but the ball ran loose to Markanday, but Wright was magnificently equal to the drive and the ball went behind.
Robbie McKenzie, playing his 238th game for the Club which moved the midfielder into the top thirty of those to ever wear Gillingham blue, then had an effort blocked after good work from Sillah as the Gills upped the tempo that saw them go level just before the hour as despite being pulled down by a defender, Hale still managed to get the effort in that beat Ryan Boot in the home goal to draw the Gills level.
Wright continued his fine game with saves denying Liam Mandeville twice – the first from a low curler and the second a fierce drive that was beaten away – and the Gills on loan stopper followed those up by denying Louie Marsh and Tom Naylor as the point was secured for the trip home.
A home base that now was to include new boys Zech Obiero from Leyton Orient and Eli King from Cardiff City as the transfer window slammed shut as the Gills prepared for the long drive home.
Chesterfield: Boot, Hutton (Eccleston 95), Simpson, McFadzean, Gordon, Stirk, McEachran (Naylor 76), Markanday, Mandeville, Koroma (Marsh 76), Bonis (Bryden 77).
Subs not used – Owolabi-Belewu, Pond, Lamptey.
Goal: Koroma (22).
Booked: McFadzean (31).
GILLINGHAM – Wright, Smith, Beckles, Dobbs, Freeman, McKenzie (Antwi 75), Waldock, McManus, Brophy, Sillah (Goodwin 65), Hale (McCleary 71).
Subs not used – Holtam, Kendall, Daley, Booth.
Goal: Hale (58).
Booked: Dobbs (29).
REFEREE – Mr Ross Martin
Attendance: 6103