John Coleman saw Gillingham claim the first point of his reign in the managers backyard on Merseyside as the Gills came from behind to draw at Tranmere Rovers. 

After going behind early on, the Gills were gifted an equaliser on just before the break when following a free-kick combination from Jack Nolan and Armani Little, Bradley Dack – playing his first full 90 minutes for the Gills in eight years – saw his ball into the box deflected into his own net by Jordan Turnbull. 

Two sides who have struggled to score this season showed just their problems after the break as neither side really had a chance to win the game – yes there were chances but neither keeper was worked. 

Nelson Khumbeni and JJ Morgan both were handed debuts my Coleman after arriving at Priestfield this week and it was Chelsea loanee Morgan who had the games first chance – moving onto Robbie McKenzie’s flick to fire into the side-netting. 

Omari Patrick had Rovers first chance as he headed straight at Glenn Morris before the home side took the lead just past the quarter hour as Sol Solomon was on hand to steer Patricks cross in the Gills net. 

Josh Davison and Connor Wood both perhaps should have doubled the home sides lead but missed good chances before Morgan almost netted but couldnt get a clean enough contact on the ball. 

The goal that the travelling fans craved arrived just before the break. Little and Nolan combined with the free-kick, Dack went down the flank and his super ball into the box was steered into his own net by central defender Turnbull. 

Little and McKenzie both had chances early in the second period but could hit the target with their respective shots and headers.  

Skipper Max Ehmer made a superb block to deny Davison with Tranmeres first chance of the second period before Ehmer almost turned provider for McKenzie – who had been pushed into midfield following changes – who had a shot deflected wide of Luke McGee’s post. 

Both sides sort the winner but neither found it so honours even gave John Coleman his first point as Gills boss. And with another long trip North to Grimsby Town on Tuesday, the faithful returning from Tranmere face another road trip as the manager searches for his first three points in Gillingham blue.  

TRANMERE ROVERS – McGee, Norman, Davis, Turnbull, Wood, Khan (Hawkes), Solomon, Morris (Finley), Davison (Dennis), Patrick (Saunders), Jennings 

Subs – Murphy, Bradshaw, O’Connor  

GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, McKenzie, Ehmer, Ogie, Nolan (Jayden Clarke), Khumbeni (Max Clark), Little, Dack, Morgan (Hawkins), Nevitt 

Subs – Turner, Coleman, Jonny Williams, Gbode  

REFEREE – Mr. Barlow  

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC