Coca-Cola Championship
Saturday 12th March
LEEDS UNITED 1 GILLINGHAM 1
Gillingham gained a useful point against Leeds United in their first ever League visit to Elland Road.
Central defender Chris Hope put Gillingham in front in the first half, albeit with a touch of fortune, but real drama unfolded on the hour mark. Darius Henderson and Michael Gray both reacted to a challenge, arms were raised and the subsequent red cards for both players were inevitable.
Gillingham were dealt a cruel blow nine minutes from time when Leeds equalised through Rob Hulse, who was set up by a familiar face, former striker Marlon King, a player currently on loan at Elland Road.
The first attempt on goal arrived in the seventh minute, although in truth it was barely worthy of noting down. Hulse set up Gary Kelly to let fly with a wild shot, so wild in fact that it ended up in the top tier of the away end!
Four minutes later it was Gillingham's turn and it has to be said that they came far closer to making a significant impact. Nicky Southall delivered a cross and Jonathan Douglas, signed on loan from Blackburn just 48 hours before the game, saw his flick header fly just off target, landing on the roof of the net.
Leeds then had a header of their own rise over the bar. Aaron Lennon, who had already shown signs of promise on the right wing, crossed for Hulse, in a central position in the box, to head over the top.
As the half hour mark approached Douglas broke forward and found himself ahead of Gillingham's strikers, Mamady Sidibe and Henderson, but his 20 yard shot, from a tight angle, whistled wide of goal.
Still Gillingham experienced something of a let off in the 36th minute when Michael Gray launched a free kick into the box. Steve Banks came out for it, but failed to claim, instead allowing Hulse to get there first, but thankfully his header landed wide.
Five minutes before the break Gillingham were involved in a neat three man move which created an opportunity. Sidibe switched play from left to right to Nyron Nosworthy who in turn found Southall. His first time cross, from the right, was met on the half volley by Mike Flynn, but the ball bounced into the ground, the sting was taken out of the shot and Neil Sullivan claimed.
Three minutes later and Gills were celebrating. Henderson earned the team a free kick, the Gills went through their custom routine and it did the trick. Chris Hope went for goal and a wicked deflection deceived Sullivan as the ball nestled into the net.
On the stroke of half time Douglas shot just wide before Sidibe went even closer with a tremendous effort, after linking up with Henderson, although Sullivan made an equally good save, diving away to his right to palm away for a corner.
Apart from a Douglas header, which was saved, the next significant moment, in the 55th minute, saw Simon Walton burst into the box and come up against Nosworthy, who was no doubt aware that a rash challenge would result in a penalty and a red card. Nosworthy kept his concentration though and his tackle to thwart Walton was spot on.
Both sides were then reduced to 10 men. Tempers flared as Henderson and Gray had an altercation and after consultation with his assistant, the referee sent both players off.
On 67 minutes Paul Butler launched a long ball forward which Hulse collected, but his shot, from a tight angle, was tipped round the post by Banks.
With 10 minutes remaining Gillingham had a glorious opportunity to add a second and potential match winning goal. Sidibe chased what seemed like a lost cause, but won possession and invited Southall to cross. Southall accepted the invitation and picked out Flynn, the spare man at the back post, but he could only direct his header wide.
That proved costly as Leeds levelled 60 seconds later. King, three minutes after being introduced as a substitute, crossed from the right and Hulse cashed in.
Leeds threw everything at Gills for the rest of the match, including in five minutes of stoppage time, but Gills held firm, none more so than when James McEveley, signed on loan from Blackburn Rovers, cleared a David Healy effort off the line.
Gills can be more than satisfied with a point, and will take their confidence into the match against Stoke City this Tuesday.
Leeds: Sullivan; Kelly (Richardson 55); Butler; Kilgallon; Gray (sent off 60); Wright (King 78); Gregan; Walton; Lennon; Hulse (Deane 88); Healy.
Subs not used - Johnson; Carlisle.
Gillingham: Banks; Nosworthy; McEveley; Smith; Cox; Hope; Southall; Flynn; Henderson (sent off 60); Sidibe (Byfield 90); Douglas.
Subs not used - Bossu; Jarvis; Crofts; Hills.
Bookings: Gregan; Walton (Leeds); Douglas; Flynn (Gillingham)
Sent off: Gray (60) (Leeds); Henderson (60) (Gillingham)
Attendance: 27,995
Referee: Mr M Cowburn
Report by: Adam Scally
