Gillingham will be playing their football in League Two next year after a 2-1 defeat with Leeds United at Elland Road. Mark Stimson's men had taken the lead through Simeon Jackson. The striker took advantage of a defensive error to round the keeper and slot home in the 19th minute. However, even though the Gills had the lead, much still relied on results from the Cheltenham v Doncaster and Carlisle v Bournemouth games - both of which ended with scorelines that kept Gills in the drop zone. Leeds ended all hopes though in the 70th minute when Bradley Johnson's fine finish from the edge of the box flew past Derek Stillie and into the top corner. The home side then took the lead and ended Gillingham's misery when Tresor Kandol broke and fired the ball past Stillie.
The afternoon began in the midst of a volatile Elland Road crowd, a caucophony of song and chanting filled the stadium- with the occasional tribute to Chairman, Paul Scally - but the Gills started brightly and Jackson set out immediately in making life extremely difficult for the home defence. On seven minutes the striker managed to keep the ball in play on the by-line before aiming a shot at goal. Keeper, Casper Ankergren, made himself as big as possible and blocked the effort.
However, the Leeds defence looked shaky and their nervousness ultimately led to the opening goal of the game. When right-back, Anthony Gardner, collected the ball just outside his area he failed to notice Jackson behind him, he turned into the Gills striker, who took it away from him, rounded the keeper and then fired into an open net.
For the rest of the half both sides struggled to get on top with neither forging any chances of real worth. On 31 minutes, Gillingham saw a Gary Mulligan header fly over the bar from a tight angle and then, in the 42nd, Bradley Johnson epitomised the home side's frustration with a desperate 25 yard drive that was well wide.
In the second half Leeds came out a rvitalised side as they searched for the equaliser. Gillingham were quite happy to soak the pressure and Mark Bentley showed the type of drive and character to brilliantly close down a Douglas shot from the edge of the area in the 53rd minute. A minute later, Gillingham responded through Jackson who did well to work himself some space and fire just over the bar. However, with the angle always against him it was always a difficult prospect.
At the other end Peter Sweeney had a 25 yard free kick comfortably saved by Stillie before Douglas, just past the hour mark, saw a left footed drive fly over the bar. The united man recieved the ball when it dropped to him just inside the area, checked onto his left foot but could not keep his effort down.
However, it was soon not to matter as the home side restored parity on 70 minutes through a fine finish from Bradley Johnson. The midfielder had gone unnoticed at the edge of the area and was able to aim a terrific left footed volley past Stillie after substitutes Seb Carole had picked him out with a fine left footed cross.
Gillingham rallied and the introduction of Dennis Oli, Adam Miller and Leroy Griffiths gave the Gills much more attacking purpose and they forged a half chance just two minutes later. A surging run from Miller allowed hiim to play a through ball to Crofts who was able to aim a shot goalward and force the keeper into a save.
But, with the men committed forward, Gillingham always looked vulnerable to a quick break and it happened just before the 90 minute mark when Tresor Kandol, who had looked ineffective all game, broke through one-on-one with Stillie. The Gills keeper closed down the angle but the striker finished emphatically and sealed Gillingham's fate.
There was still time for one final Gills push and they almost brought a goal back when Nicky Southall connected with a low John Nutter cross but, typical of Gillinham's luck all season, the ball rebounded off the post and into the keepers arms.
The referee's whistle soon followed and condemned Mark Stimson's men to League Two.
For the last game of the season Mark Stimson has kept with a 3-5-2 formation with Garry Richards out with a knee injury but is replaced by Mark Bentley. Attacking midfielder, Adam Miller, returns to the bench after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Leeds United: 1. Casper Ankergren, 3. Paul Huntington, 4. Jonathan Douglas, 7. David Prutton, 16. Bradley Johnson, 20. Tresor Kandol, 22. Andrew Hughes, 24. Peter Sweeney, 27. Scott Gardner, 33. Lubomir Michalik, 39. Anthony Elding
Subs: 25. David Lucas, 5. Rui Marques, 8. Alan Thompson, 17. Seb Carole, 28. Fabien Delph
Gillingham: 22. Derek Stillie, 4. Danny Cullip, 5. Simon King, 7. Andrew Crofts, 8. Mark Bentley, 9. Gary Mulligan, 11. Nicky Southall, 20. Simeon Jackson, 27. Kevin Maher, 35. John Nutter, 39. Stuart Lewis
Subs: 13. Chris Kiely, 24. Georges Ba, 28. Dennis Oli, 30. Leroy Griffiths, 36. Adam Miller
Attendance: 38256
