Mark Patterson's side come from behind to pull off a great win at Beechings Cross
Mark Patterson’s side fought back from going behind with just 45 seconds on the clock and then fell further behind before staging a great comeback to secure an odd-goal in five win.Two terrific strikes from Tom Brunt pulled the Gills level at the break and then a bizarre second-half own goal completed the turnaround.
As stated above it was the Lions who went ahead from the first opening of the game when Charlie Penny raced through to lob the advancing Luke Nalder.
Then before two minutes had ticked by Joe Carter and Max Fitzgerald, who clattered into the Gills skipper, were both forced to leave the pitch with respective ‘bloody’ wounds.
Right-back Stephen Butcher, who is continuing his return following a lengthy injury lay-off, took Carter’s place on the pitch with Jack Evans swapping to the left side.
It was Evans that twice went close for Gillingham in the early stages, first his free-kick dipped inches over the top before having another seemingly goalbound strike blocked.
Then with 23 minutes on the clock the visitors went two ahead. A towering header from Jake Goodman saw Jason Twum break down the left before unselfishly squaring the ball for Penny to knock in his second of the game.
Six minutes later the home side pulled one back, Jake Hessenthaler’s corner from the left was met by Brunt who stroked the ball sweetly past Luke Bartlett from around eight yards out.
Goodman was then forced to head behind a dangerous Evans free-kick as Devante McKain closed in behind but then in the 38th minute the Gills were level.
Another Hessenthaler corner, this time from the right, picked out Brunt on the edge of the area and he struck a great, low half-volley past a static Bartlett.
As the half came to a close a stretching Nathan Nyafli was just unable to capitalise on another great ball in from Hessenthaler while Millwall’s Danny Newman may be hoping for some new teeth this Christmas following another collision that left him requiring treatment from former Gills physio Paul Smith.
H/T: 2 – 2
Chances in the opening stages of the second period were at a premium, Evans saw another free-kick blocked by the wall and from the follow up Connor Essam was also denied by a lunging defender.
Kane Haysman replaced Evans in the 61st minute, a change that saw Josh Hare drop in at right-back with Butcher moving to the left.
What turned out to be the winner came four minutes later. A long-range strike from Brunt was turned aside by Bartlett but as Nyafli closed in on the loose ball substitute Will De Havilland inexplicably slotted the ball into his own net.
With the Gills continuing to battle for every ball it was they who looked likely to add to their tally.
A neat touch from Hessenthaler set up a neat strike from Haysman which although Bartlett spilt, a defender hacked clear as George Humber closed in. Then Hessenthaler himself had a go but he dragged his left-foot shot wide of the post.
Gills – Nalder, Evans (Haysman 61 m), Carter (Butcher 2 m), Hare, McKain, Essam, Hessenthaler, Brunt, Nyafli, Coates (Millbank 78m), Humber (Miller 78m). Unused sub: O’Neill
Lions – Bartlett, Newman (Webb 60m), Richards, Shitta, Fitzgerald (De Havilland 2m), Goodman, Oriogun (Callaghan 68m), Racon, Alabi, Penny, Twum