The points were shared as Gillingham came from behind to draw with Cambridge United at MEMS Priestfield on Boxing Day.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth has made it very clear how important the December-January period is in the EFL, particularly for the teams vying for promotion. Given Gillingham’s frustrating form in recent weeks, this game against another promotion-hunting team was critical.
Ainsworth made three changes to the starting 11 from last week’s 2-1 away loss to Fleetwood Town. Bradley Dack and Seb Palmer-Houlden dropped to the bench, while loanee Travis Akomeah dropped out of the squad altogether.
In their place was Max Clark, Ethan Coleman and Josh Andrews, who made his first start since 15th November. Conor Masterson made his first appearance on the bench this season following a lengthy spell out injured. The Cambridge starting 11 was unchanged from their 2-0 victory over Accrington last week.
The first half almost got off to the perfect start for the Gills as Sam Gale slammed the ball into the Cambridge net following a Remeao Hutton long throw, before the linesman’s flag ruled it out.
Gillingham continued to have the better of the opening minutes with some promising counter-attacks and a threatening Max Clark corner.
However, Cambridge broke the deadlock in the 10th minute with Louis Appere nodding in a looping headed cross from skipper James Gibbons following some sloppy Gillingham defending.
The game continued with both sides struggling to really control the game. There were several mis-timed challenges and no clear chances on goal at either end.
The best chance for Gillingham was a long-range effort from skipper Armani little, which he blasted just wide.
Cambridge then had a period where they controlled the game, with some solid attacking play that pushed Gillingham deeper into their own half, while the Gills increasingly resorted to playing on the counter-attack.
The home side came close to equalising when pressure from Little caused a back pass and an indirect free kick inside the Cambridge penalty area. Little set up Clark for a shot which was blocked, then resulted in Andrews having a header which he directed straight at the Cambridge keeper.
The first half ended with another Gillingham attack started by a long throw which fizzled out – encapsulating a frustrating half for the home side.
Gillingham began the second half with more aggression and purpose. They made several strong challenges – including one in their own penalty area that the away fans were convinced warranted a penalty – but also had more intent going forward.
The game continued with Gillingham having slightly more possession in better positions but – as with the first half – no clear chances on goal.
Both teams brought on fresh legs around the 65th minute, with Gillingham calling on the speed of Palmer-Houlden and experience of Dack to try and level the game.
Andrews proved useful in drawing fouls with his strong hold-up play that led to a couple of free kicks.
From one of these free kicks in the 70th minute, Little was put through on goal and dragged down, giving Gillingham a penalty.
While Ainsworth has given several players penalty duties over the season, Robbie McKenzie has scored the last couple and was given another chance today. He shot low to the right, but keeper Jake Eastwood made a strong save and parried it behind for a corner.
Moments later the stadium erupted as the corner was taken quickly and Max Clark bundled in a header at the far post before the fans had a moment to digest the penalty miss.
With the scores now level, the Gills sprang to life with their best attacking play of the match. They drove forward with more purpose and precision, led by playmaker Dack, who had an excellent opportunity to make it 2-1 in the 75th minute as he hammered a volley towards the bottom-right corner. Eastwood did very well to cling on to it.
In the final minutes of the game, both sides continued to attack to try to find a winner but, as with the rest of the match, neither side were able to create any clear-cut chances.
While the result is not a disaster given the sides respective league positions and recent form, it extends Gillingham’s winless run to 7 games and puts them further away from the playoffs.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Clark, A Smith, Coleman (Dack 65), Little, Andrews, Rowe, McKenzie, Nevitt (Palmer-Houlden 65), Gale.
Subs Not Used: Holtam, Masterson, J Williams, J Smith, Vokes.
Goal: Clark 73
Booked: Rowe 85
Cambridge United: Eastwood, Bennett (Purrington 67), Watts, Brophy (McLoghlin 67), Appere (Lavery 79), Kaikai (Kachunga 79), Mayor, Mpanzu, Jobe, Gibbons, Hoddle.
Subs Not Used: Hughes, Knight, Rossi.
Goals: Appere 10
Booked: None
HT 0–1 FT 1-1
Attendance: 7344 (636 Cambridge).
Referee: Mr Neil Hair
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.