Gillingham 1 Accrington Stanley 1

Match 16/11/903 - Wednesday, 10 September 2011 - League Two

Gillingham (0) 1 Rooney 86 (pen)
Accrington Stanley (0) 1 Craney 82
Att. 4,619

Entrance: Season Ticket
Programme: £3.00
Mileage: 45/1,088

Match Report

Early season optimism has evaporated as fast as a small puddle on a hot summer’s day. Two successive defeats left the visit of Accrington Stanley as not exactly critical at this early stage but certainly the opportunity for Gillingham to get their season heading in the right direction again. As the game unfolded the home side will be grateful for small mercies as a penalty saved a point after the visitors had taken an 84th minute lead.

This was a poor game that saw neither goalkeeper really tested. Gillingham opened up brightly and Charlie Lee brought a save from Sean Murdoch but it was a further half hour before the Stanley goal was threatened again. From a Danny Jackman corner, Lee headed goalwards beating Murdoch but seeing his effort cleared from the line by Dean Winnard.

Gillingham keeper, Ross Flitney had been a virtual spectator so it was to his credit that he maintained his concentration to turn a shot from Kevin McIntyre around his post late in the half.

The second half also meandered its way but there were increasing signs that Accrington were gaining in confidence and fancied their chances of a bit of a smash and grab. From a corner, Winnard placed a free header directly into the hands of Flitney and with seven minutes remaining on the clock, Louis Moult wasted a gilt edged chance, steering the ball wide of the post when through on goal.

The reprieve was short-lived however as Ian Craney exchanged passes with Moult and this time the former calmly scored into the bottom left hand corner. The Stanley celebrations in front of the Rainham End went down like a lead balloon as many headed for the exits.

Those that stayed until the bitter end were rewarded with an equaliser with a couple of minutes remaining. Moult, who had a mixed, but always involved 25 minutes on the pitch, needlessly brought down Danny Kedwell on the corner of the box leaving the referee with little choice but to award the spot kick. Kedwell was injured in the process and unable to take the penalty leaving Luke Rooney to step up and hold his nerve with so little time remaining, his penalty hitting the inside of the right hand post before nestling in the opposite corner.

Sadly, but understandably, the final whistle brought a chorus of boos and an anxiety that Kedwell’s injury could leave Gillingham without a recognised striker for the midweek trip to Southend.