Gillingham have succumbed to another away defeat, this time with a 2-1 loss to second-placed Doncaster Rovers. However, the result somewhat belies the Gills performance as, for most of the match, the home side were totally outplayed. Only two defensive errors, at the beginning of each half, let down Mark Stimson's side. James Coppinger got in behind Adam Bygrave to slot home after four minutes to give them the lead, before Paul Heffernan converted from the spot, two minutes into the second, to double it. Skipper Andrew Crofts added another goal to his tally by notching a consolation goal in the 56th minute.
With only four minutes on the clock it appeared to be the same old story for Gillingham. A long ball over the top, by Richard Wellens, beat the two centre-halves and the striker - in this case it was the impressive Coppinger - managed to spring the off-side trap and then fire past Royce to give the home team an early lead. However, where this story was usually followed with a period of capitulation, the goal seemed to unify the Gillingham players and they began to control the game.
Striker Delroy Facey was showing the sort of ability that had Bolton manager Sam Allardyce willing to get out his cheque book, with his movement and penetrating runs causing the Doncaster defence real problems. On 13 minutes, the former Huddersfield man, latched onto a superb ball behind the centre-back, but it took it him too wide and his shot was always battling against the tight angle. Nevertheless, is still forced goalkeeper Neil Sullivan into a good save.
Even though Gillingham were controlling the game, very little in the way of chances were created. Doncaster did not have the same problems and they attacked with force and at speed. On 23 minutes Heffernan was picked out at the far post but his shot smashed into the side netting when he should have angled a shot across goal. Then, on 26, the ball was whipped to the edge of the box and Wellens was there with a decent effort that Simon Royce did well to palm away.
The 27th minute capped off a manic five minutes for Gillingham, when Brian Stock hit a fabulous shot that beat Royce and hit the inside of the post.
Gillingham survived, some may wonder how, but the score remained at 1-0 and the Blues rallied. On the half hour mark striker Leroy Griffiths used his pace to beat his marker down the flank and put in a decent cross, but neither Dennis Oli nor Adam Miller could keep up with him and the ball was cleared by the Doncaster defence.
Two minutes later and skipper Andrew Crofts should have restored parity. A long John Nutter throw was flicked on by Facey for Crofts, who had made a late run into the box, to connect with. His run was timed a little too late and he could not keep the ball under the bar.
As half time loomed, Royce showed just why he has cemented himself as a firm fans favourite by pulling off a tremendous save. The Gills shot stopper somehow got across his goal in time to get a hand to a brilliant dipping volley from Heffernan. The ball seemed destined for the bottom corner, but Royce did well and tipped it round the post.
The opening minutes of the second half were vitally important for both sides as both looked to impress themselves on the game, but it was Doncaster who were given the break through. With only a minute played of the restart, Adam Bygrave was adjudged to have handled the ball in the area and the referee did not hesitate to point to the spot. Heffernan stepped up and duly fired past Royce to double the Yorkshire side's lead.
Rovers continued to dominate the early stages and, on 49, they were denied again by the brilliant Royce. Bygrave was dispossessed in his own half by Heffernan, whose fierce shot was well saved by the Gillingham shot stopper.
Then, a chink of hope for Mark Stimson and his men. Some comical defending by the home side, in which a cross was flicked across his own goal by a Doncaster defender, led to a Gillingham corner. Adam Miller whipped it in, it wasn't dealt with and skipper Andrew Crofts was there again to side foot the ball into the net for his fourth goal of the season.
The goal was no more than Gillingham deserved and they pushed hard in search of the equaliser. But it was Doncaster who came closest to getting another goal just after the hour mark. Substitute Sean McDaid and striker, Heffernan, combined, with the former drawing a smart save from Royce. Heffernan followed up but his strike was cleared off the line by Barry Fuller.
The Gills pushed hard in the final minutes of the game, and there was a sense of nervousness creeping around the home support. The best chance for the equaliser came in the 82nd minute when Nutter fizzed in a drive that was swerving and dipping in the air, but Sullivan showed his experience and he calmly plucked it out of mid-flight.
This was a game that, with Gillingham's poor away form, many would have not expected anything from. However, even though the result may not have been three points, the performance was a stellar one. Mark Stimson and his side were full of renewed energy and spirit and they pushed a Doncaster team regarded as the best football side in the league. If Gillingham can take this kind of form into their final nine games, then it will make for a very interesting finale to the season indeed.
TEAM NEWS
One notable change is the absence of defender Ian Cox who makes way for young Adam Bygrave. Goalkeeper Simon Royce is also back into the squad, replacing Derek Stillie after a time out through illness. Loan signing Kevin Maher makes his second appearance for the Gills alongside skipper Andrew Crofts, whilst Leroy Griffiths and Delroy Facey lead the front line.
Doncaster Rovers: 1. Neil Sullivan; 14. Paul Heffernan, 11. Adam Lockwood, 15. Mark Wilson, 8. Brian Stock, 26. James Coppinger, 20. Paul Green, 19. Richard Wellens, 22. Matthew Mills, 9. Mark McCammon, 3. Gareth Roberts
Subs: 25. Stuart Elliott, 10. Gareth Taylor, 21. Sam Hird, 18. Sean McDaid, 12. James Hayter
Gillingham: 12. Simon Royce, 38. Barry Fuller, 36. Adam Miller, 5. Simon King, 10 Delroy Facey, 28. Dennis Oli, 7. Andrew Crofts, 27. Kevin Maher, 35. John Nutter, 30. Leroy Griffiths, 31. Adam Bygrave
Subs: 22. Derek Stillie, 20. Simeon Jackson, 19. Sean Clohessy, 9. Gary Mulligan, 32. Stuart Thurgood
