Billy Knott scores a last-minute winner in away friendly
Billy Knott’s last-minute penalty against his former club earned the Gills a 2-1 victory against Essex side Concord Rangers in Tuesday evening’s pre-season friendly.
Knott, who played for his hometown club as a child, fired home from the spot following a foul on Rory Donnelly.
The Gills trailed at half-time thanks to a Steve King header, before Luke Norris neatly converted just after half-time.
Manager Justin Edinburgh named the likes of Stuart Nelson, Josh Wright, Bradley Dack and Cody McDonald in his starting XI for the first half at the Aspect Arena, alongside two trialists, in a 4-4-2 diamond formation.
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However, it was the National League South side who started the strongest, with Jay Dowie threatening twice early on. They went ahead on 18 minutes, as Steve King leapt the highest and headed home from a Sam Collins corner.
The Gills finished the half strongly, with Wright and Mark Byrne shooting just wide, and Dack having an effort blocked shortly before the break.
H/T: 1-0
Edinburgh made five subs at half time, including Knott and goalkeeper Tom Hadler replacing Nelson, but it was first half starter Norris who slid in to grab an equaliser from six yards on 52 minutes.
Donnelly came close with a powerful free-kick with time almost up, but after he was fouled in the box in the 90th minute, Knott blazed home the penalty to give the visitors the win.
The Gills return to Essex on Wednesday evening for another pre-season friendly, this time against Billericay Town (7.45pm kick-off).
F/T: 1-2
Gillingham (first half): Nelson, Jackson, Ehmer, Dickenson, Triallist, Trialist, Wright, Dack, Byrne, McDonald, Norris
Gillingham (second half): Hadler, Trialist, Osadebe, Dickenson (Cundle 67), Trialist, Knott, Byrne (Martin 60), Wright (Oldaker 60), Dack (Hessenthaler 60), McDonald (Donnelly 60), Norris (List 63)