Max Clark scored a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a point from their League 2 clash at Bromley.
Gillingham’s spirited second-half display saw them come back from two goals down to level the match at 2-2 and stay top of the table. Nicke Kabamba and Michael Cheek put Bromley two up after just 12 minutes but Josh Andrews halved that lead just before the hour mark and Clark’s 98th minute penalty completed the fightback.
The match – a sell-out at Hayes Lane and broadcast live on Sky Sports – was one between the two sides boasting the only remaining unbeaten records in League 2. Both remain intact.
The Gills had lost twice to Bromley the previous season but boss Gareth Ainsworth insisted that was in the past and there was no looking back as the Gills claimed a point.
Unfortunately, the Gills were second best to their near neighbours in the opening half, losing battles across the pitch and conceding twice early on.
For a side that hadn’t conceded more than one against any side at the start of the season, the early showing was unlike anything seen previously since the new campaign kicked off. It was a much better display after the break.
Jonny Williams had returned for the Gills, as the only change to the team which started the previous league game, at Oldham.
Williams replaced Bradley Dack, who wasn’t named in the matchday squad.
Newly-signed wingers Garath McCleary and Jonny Smith were named among the substitutes.
The home side were ahead after just seven minutes when Nicke Kabamba made himself space on the edge of the box before sweeping the ball home past Glenn Morris.
Five minutes later and Bromley were two up as Cheek nodded in past Morris from Idris Odutayo’s cross.
Robbie McKenzie headed another Cheek effort off the line as the Gills were made to look ragged at the back. That clearance came after Morris had denied Kabamba, who had raced clear.
Gillingham’s best first-half chances fell to Josh Andrews. He headed one over the bar and when finding himself in on goal after a defensive mistake from Omar Sowunmi, his shot was tamely fired at keeper Grant Smith.
Williams also shot wide for the Gills as they went into the break two goals behind.
Ainsworth kept faith with his starters as the teams switched ends for the second half, the Gills attacking an end with a packed away section.
Nevitt came close to nodding in a corner to get the Gills a goal back but Smith saved,
The Gills made a bright start to the second half and Andrews had another chance from a Clark cross but he couldn’t divert his header on target.
Andrews managed to find the net just before the hour mark, getting his head to Hutton’s long throw and diverting it into the far corner of the net.
Bromley came close to restoring their two-goal advantage almost immediately as Cheek was played in on goal but he was denied by the post.
Changes from the bench after an hour saw McCleary and Jonny Smith make their first appearances for Gills. Rowe was also introduced as a different outlet for the Gills after replacing goalscorer Andrews.
The impressive Bromley striker Cheek was denied again as Clark diverted his shot over after Morris had saved well from Mitch Pinnock.
McCleary’s attempted overhead strike went wide for the Gills late on and Jonny Williams also put an effort off target ahead of seven added-on minutes.
Jonny Smith had a great chance on 91 minutes after being slipped in by Vokes but the keeper saved.
With 94 mnutes gone the Gills were awarded a penalty after keeper Smith fouled McCleary, who had run in on goal.
Vokes took the ball, waiting for Smith to have treatment, before Clark finally had the chance to take the kick and he fired home to level.
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton (J Smith 63mins), Clark, A Smith, Gale, McKenzie, Coleman (Khumbeni 58mins), Little (McCleary 63mins), J Williams, Andrews (Rowe 70mins), Nevitt (Vokes 63mins). Subs not used: Turner, Cirino.
Bromley: Smith, Charles, Sowumni, Cameron (Webster 52mins), Cheek, Pinnock, Kabamba (Dinanga 87mins), Hondermarck, Whitely (Arthurs 58mins), Ifill (Krauhaus 58mins), Odutayo.Subs not used: Long, Thompson, Omulu.
Referee: James Durkin
Attendance: 3,005 (481 away)
