Breathless finish gives sense of déjà vu
DESPITE a tepid, goalless first half, Gillingham and AFC Wimbledon continued their recent tradition of playing out 2-2 draws in Kent with an end-to-end second 45 minutes.
The Gills led twice through George Francomb’s own goal and Max Ehmer’s first league strike since February.
However Lyle Taylor and Harry Forrester ensured that the third meeting between the two sides in ME7 since April 2013 ended with four goals shared.
“I’ve managed here three times and they’ve all been 2-2 draws,” said Dons boss Neal Ardley. “Anybody who knew that stat before kick-off might have had a bet on it!
“We’ve come from behind twice, which is something we’ve not done much this year and need to get better at.
“We’re disappointed at the manner of the two goals conceded. You make things hard when you play well and go behind in that way.
“We didn’t deserve to lose, that’s for sure. There was plenty of spirit, energy and endeavour.”
Gillingham, who have only scored once before half-time in home league games this season, were almost handed an opener after just two minutes when Dons goalkeeper George Long spilled Conor Ogilvie’s corner on his goal-line.
Tomas Holy was the busier of the two stoppers, most notably denying former Gills striker Cody McDonald with a superb leg save to keep out his low shot on the half hour.
Dons defender Francomb’s looping header into his own net from Sean Clare’s free-kick put the hosts in front on 62 minutes.
Taylor pulled the south London side level from the penalty spot five minutes later after Luke O’Neill bundled McDonald over in the box. The goal was the Dons striker’s sixth in as many games.
Gills boss Steve Lovell said: “The referee says Luke pulled Cody back a bit but it’s done now. He made his decision, I’m not happy with it, but it’s finished.
“Hopefully we’ll get our breaks further down the line. I’m running out of fingers to list those decisions that have gone against us recently but you can’t legislate for it.”
However the two sides were level for less than 120 seconds, as Clare’s corner was bundled in by Gillingham defender Ehmer at the back post.
Substitute Forrester earned Dons a draw six minutes from time, volleying in from 12 yards after a well-worked corner between Taylor and Deji Oshilaja.
Lovell said: “When we went 1-0 up I thought that we’d win the game easily. The players are disappointed.”