Gills take a point back to Kent following a 2-2 draw with Tranmere at Prenton Park.
First half Goals from Alex Jakubiak and Alfie Jones were cancelled out by a Tranmere comeback as Gills had to settle for a point in Merseyside.
Jakubiak and Jones both struck before the break to put Gillingham in control, but a second half fightback from the hosts saw Paul Mullin and Connor Jennings get on the scoresheet as Gills had to return to Kent with just a point.
Steve Evans handed first starts to Mikael Mandron and Ben Pringle for the trip to Tranmere, with Regan Charles-Cook missing out with a slight knock.
Tranmere threatened early on in the Wirral through Paul Mullin. The forward jinked between a couple of tackles on the left wing before curling an effort past Bonham. Luckily for the Gills, it hit the post and bounced away from danger.
Mandron, keen to make an impact, then flicked a header towards goal. He got up well, but his effort was a comfortable save for Scott Davies in the Tranmere goal.
Gills took the lead in the 15th minute. A corner from the left was headed goalwards by Max Ehmer. The initial effort was saved by Davies but Jakubiak was there to steer home the rebound. It may have been over the line already, but Jakubiak made sure from close range. 0-1.
The goal certainly gave the Gills real belief and the lead could have been doubled just moments later. A short back-pass from the Tranmere defender saw Mandron capitalise but he couldn’t quite go around Davies, who managed to stay big. The resulting corner was headed wide by Connor Ogilvie as the Gills penned in their hosts.
Gills were really looking confident and Olly Lee was the next man to try his luck, however the midfielder struck his half volley wide of the post. Gills were brimming with confidence and looking good value for their lead in the North West.
Steve Evans’ side deservedly doubled their lead in the 35th minute. A ball from the right from Ben Pringle saw Max Ehmer challenge the keeper, Davies spilled it and there was Alfie Jones to prod home his first senior goal in English Football to send the away fans in to raptures. 0-2.
Gillingham managed to negotiate the final ten minutes before the break, to go in at half-time ahead.
H/T: 0-2
Tranmere came out all guns blazing at the beginning of the second half and nearly pulled level immediately. Connor Jennings went through one on one, but Jack Bonham stood big to deliver a vital save. Ollie Banks was then denied as the Gills came under some pressure in Merseyside.
It was becoming a little bit frantic at Prenton Park, with the game becoming an end-to-end encounter on occasions. Mark Byrne was the next man to try his luck but his effort was straight at Davies.
In the 64th minute, Tranmere were awarded a penalty after Barry Fuller brought down his man inside the area. Mullin stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved brilliantly by Jack Bonham, the keeper doing very well to tip the effort around the post.
However, the resulting corner saw Tranmere pull level. After an initial save from Bonham, an almighty scramble followed before the ball fell to Connor Jennings. Jennings did well to find half a yard, before poking the ball home. 1-2.
And Tranmere soon levelled the game. Mullin had time and space inside the area to fire past Bonham after being played through by former Gills forward, Stefan Payne, 2-2 and game on at Prenton Park.
Gills boss Steve Evans looked to freshen things up and introduced Stuart O’Keefe and Brandon Hanlan in a bid to find a winner. A couple of corners were dealt with and a Hanlan shot was saved as the game entered the final stages.
The final chance of the game went the way of Tranmere, but Jack Bonham did well to deny a Connor Jennings effort that looked like it was destined for the top corner.
F/T: 2-2
Tranmere: Davies, Ridehalgh, Nelson (Banks 45), Ray, Monthe, Morris (Woods 45), Potter, Mullin (Hepburn-Murphy 85), Jennings, Perkins, Payne.
Unused subs: Pilling, Ponticelli, Gilmour, Borthwick-Jackson
Gillingham: Bonham, Fuller, Ehmer, Ogilvie, O’Connor, Byrne, Jones, Pringle (O’Keefe 75), Lee (Ndjoli 80), Jakubiak, Mandron (Hanlan 77).
Unused subs: Walsh, Tucker, Marshall, Cisse
Referee: Mr Michael Salisbury
Attendance: 6687 (313 Gills)