Gillingham goalscorer Joe Gbode was sent off at the end of the game against Swindon Town – seconds after Jonny Williams was also dismissed.
Gbode’s second goal in two games had quickly been cancelled by former Gills defender Will Wright and the Gills finished the game with nine men after two stoppage-time red cards.
Gills were well backed in their final game of the season at Priestfield, but their home campaign ended with a draw against their old rivals Swindon.
The Gills went into the game 10 unbeaten in League 2, with manager Gareth Ainsworth yet to taste a defeat since taking charge. It’s now 11 without loss for the Gills ahead of their final game of the season at newly promoted Port Vale next weekend.
Elliott Nevitt returned to the starting line-up for the Gills to replace injured Oli Hawkins (broken hand). It was the only change from the team which kicked off their Easter Monday match.
Both teams were playing for pride in the penultimate game of the season, with former Gills captain Max Ehmer given a good reception before the match as he got to say farewell ahead of his departure at the end of the season, having played 439 games for the Gills.
Sam Gale’s the new kid on the block at the back for Gillingham and he picked up his young player-of-the-year award from the supporters’ club before kick off.
Gale was tasked with trying to keep Chatham-born striker Harry Smith quiet, the big man leading the line for the visitors with ex-Gills man Tom Nichols in support.
Swindon bossed the first half without creating too many clear-cut chances but the Gills had a great early chance.
Bradley Dack’s low drive hit Robbie McKenzie, the midfielder then laying the ball off for Nevitt but his thunderous volley hit the visiting keeper from close range.
Gavin Kilkenny got close in after an interchange of passes with Kabongo Tshimanga but from an angle Glenn Morris saved. The Gills keeper also kept out Nichols’ effort.
Gillingham went close again with Dack nearly unlocking the door. He fed Nevitt, whose shot was deflected wide and when Aaron Rowe kept it alive on the far side, Clark crossed for Nevitt and he headed wide under pressure.
It was as good as it got for the Gills in the first half as they struggled to get a grip of the game.
Ainsworth sent the same eleven out after the break but was forced into an early change when Nevitt went down injured. Easter Monday’s matchwinner Joe Gbode got an earlier-than-expected introduction off the bench.
It was defender Shad Ogie who came close to beating Swindon keeper Connor Ripley, his fierce drive from distance almost catching the goalie out, who just about got an arm in the way of the strike.
Either side of that Jonny Williams and Dack both had shots from the edge of the box that were blocked enroute as the Gills looked for a more direct way to goal.
The Gills capitalised on their improved performance with the opening goal just after the hour mark. It was started and finished by Gillingham’s homegrown players.
Gale played the ball out of defence, Aaron Rowe picked it up on the wing, beat his man and then played the ball into Gbode, who still had plenty to do with Ollie Clarke hanging off his shirt.
Gbode would have won a penalty – and a red for Clarke – had he gone down but he stayed on his feet, confident in his ability to make it count, and he did just that as he slipped the ball under Ripley.
Six minutes later and the game was level again, with former Gillingham player Will Wright converting a free-kick for the visitors, just as he did the season before when he played at Priestfield for Crawley Town.
His swerving shot deceived Morris to make it 1-1 after 67 minutes.
There were plenty of changes for both teams after the equaliser with Ainsworth getting a look at midfielders Ethan Coleman and Dom Corness in a match for the first time.
There was late drama as the Gills finished with nine men. Gbode was sent off for a second booking after an off-the-ball clash with Miguel Freckleton and Jonny Williams was dismissed for a second yellow card after a late challenge.
Gobde had clashed with the Swindon player in the goalmouth at the same time that Williams’ attempted tackle had earned him another caution, giving referee Neil Hair plenty to do in the closing seconds.
League 2 table
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Clark, Gale, Masterson, Ogie, McKenzie (Coleman 83mins), Williams, Dack (Corness 64mins), Rowe (Morgan 83mins), Nevitt (Gbode 49mins). Subs not used: Holtam, Nolan, Clarke.
Swindon: Ripley, Cotterill (Ofoborh 80mins), Kirkman (Butterworth 78mins), Wright, Clarke, Freckleton, Kilkenny, Nichols (Westley 78mins), Tshimanga (Ameen 78mins), Glatzel, Smith. Subs not used: Bycroft, Sobowale, Delaney.
Referee: Neil Hair
Attendance: 7,669 (760 away)
