Just a week after scoring an injury time winner, it was Gillingham’s turn to concede an injury time goal that would ultimately cost them a home win against Fleetwood Town.
Gillingham led after 60 minutes through Seb Palmer-Houlden and defended effectively to protect their lead. But some dynamic attacking from Fleetwood, led by Mark Helm meant the Kent side had to settle for a draw.
Gillingham went into the match keen to build on their hard-fought win away at Barrow on Tuesday evening. The win was their first since 7th February and followed a run of three consecutive defeats. With the playoff places still mathematically possible, the Gills were desperate for another three points.
Gareth Ainsworth made three changes to the side who won at Barrow. Euan Williams made his first start this season in place of Cameron Antwi, who picked up an injury in the first half. Shad Ogie and Ethan Coleman also came in for Omar Beckles and Armani Little, with Robbie McKenzie taking the captain’s armband.
Matt Lawlor made just one change to the Fleetwood side who won 1-0 away at Walsall. Esapa Osong started in attack ahead of Will Davies.
Ainsworth played three at the back, presumably looking for more defensive solidity than was evident in the last home game against Oldham. This played out in the opening ten minutes with some attritional football from both sides.
Gillingham had a shot on target in the opening minutes – a fairly tame header from Seb Palmer-Houlden that drew a save from Jay Lynch.
The Kent side grew into the game from that point, utilising the pace of Hale and Palmer-Houlden to break quickly on the counterattack. This led to an early booking for Fleetwood’s Mark Helm and what appeared to be a golden opportunity for Remeao Hutton, before the linesman’s flag was raised.
Harrison Neal had the first attempt on goal for Fleetwood in the 18th minute. A powerful right-footed strike, that had Jake Turner scrambling across to cover as it went just wide.
The game opened up with some good attacking play at either end. Euan Williams got on the end of a Hutton cross in front of goal, but the attempt was smothered. At the other end, Andy Smith expertly blocked a shot from Ched Evans who thought he only had the keeper to beat.
Helm had a chance to open the scoring for Fleetwood. A cross came in from the right which found Helm unmarked in the box, but he aimed his header into the ground and Turner collected it easily.
Fleetwood then had the best chance of the game so far. On the counterattack, the ball was whipped in from the right by Ethan Ennis to Esapa Osong unmarked at the far post. His first shot was blocked by a sliding Andy Smith. The ball then came back to Osong, whose second shot was well-blocked by Turner and went behind for a corner, which came to nothing.
Fleetwood continued to threaten the Gillingham goal as a dangerous ball was played across the Gillingham six-yard box but just missed Osong.
Gillingham were defending deeper and deeper towards the end of the half. They were looking to release the front two on the counter but struggled to move the ball quickly enough.
Against the run of play, Gillingham created a great chance to open the scoring. McKenzie threaded a smart pass to Max Clark in plenty of space. He played a through ball in front of Hale, who met it at the same time as Jay Lynch. The ball was spilled out to Palmer-Houlden wide to the left, but his shot was off-target.
The second half began in a similarly attritional way to the first half. The damp, foggy conditions made it difficult to get the ball under control as both sides struggled to create meaningful attacks.
After ten minutes, Fleetwood had the first genuine chance to score. Following some clever buildup play from Helm, Elliot Bonds found himself in front of goal with only Turner to beat, but he slipped and skied his shot over the bar.
After 60 minutes of largely forgettable football, Gillingham broke the deadlock. Max Clark picked up the ball in his own half and spotted Palmer-Houlden lurking on the far side of the Fleetwood centre backs. Clark played an excellent long ball over the top, which Palmer-Houlden picked up. His shot deflected between the legs of the defender and crept into the left corner for Gillingham’s first goal.
Gillingham continued to defend resolutely to protect their lead after the goal, while looking for opportunities to counter-attack with the fresh legs of Aaron Rowe who came on for Hutton.
Remarkably, Gillingham’s first corner of the game came in the 75th minute as substitute Jonny Williams dribbled past two players on the left flank and forced the corner, which came to nothing.
Gillingham’s defensive organisation was solid. Fleetwood had several attacks that initially looked dangerous, but they were snuffed out through good positioning and communication. In particular, there were great challenges from Smith and Williams, and a great block from Coleman.
Fleetwood continued to pile on the pressure as Ethan Ennis had a shot blocked from close range and Will Davies blasted over the bar from distance.
Fleetwood were so close to levelling the score as Helm’s free kick looked set to fly in to the top right corner, but Turner tipped it over the bar. Moments later, he had another opportunity from a similar spot in open play, which struck the crossbar.
The game which had been lifeless for so long was now boiling over with excitement. From the rebound of Helm’s second shot, Gillingham attacked with Jonny Williams driving into the Fleetwood box. He appeared to be tripped in the area, but the referee waved play on, much to the frustration of the home fans.
Fleetwood finally got their equaliser in the first minute of injury time. Following an attack which Gillingham struggles to clear, Helm picked up the ball on the left wing. His powerful cross found Shaun Rooney at the far post, whose well-directed header beat Turner and nestled in the bottom right corner.
Helm almost had the winner after the restart with a powerful volley from inside the area, which he fired just wide to the right.
Gillingham had one final attack started by substitute Lenni Cirino. He found Rowe on the right wing, who beat the defender and crossed into the box, but couldn’t find anyone to convert it just as the final whistle blew.
The result will be disappointing for Gillingham, who defended admirably all afternoon, but couldn’t quite see the game off. Fleetwood’s Mark Helm controlled their attacks and proved the difference in quality between the two sides.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton (Rowe 62’), Clark, Smith, Coleman, Palmer-Houlden (Andrews 84’), McKenzie (Cirino 84’), E Williams, (J Williams 68’), Ogie, Gale, Hale (Akomeah 84’).
Subs Not Used: Morris, Vokes.
Goals: Palmer-Houlden 61’
Booked: Ogie 40’, Andrews 86’
Fleetwood: Lynch, Potter, Bonds (Davies 68’), Osong (McLean 68’), Hel, Ennis, Evans Devonport 76’), Neal, Clark, Rooney, Haughey.
Subs Not Used: Hewitson, Powell, Morrison, Hughes.
Goals: Rooney 91’
Booked: Helm 12’
HT 0 – 0 FT 1 – 1
Att: 5297 (69)
Referee: Mr Charles Breakspear
Images courtesy of Gillingham FC