List at the last seals survival for Gills

STEVE Lovell was a relieved man as Gillingham secured League One safety with a battling point at the Memorial Stadium.

A stoppage time equaliser from substitute Elliott List and news of Rochdale’s defeat at Oxford made it a happy afternoon for more than 400 travelling fans – as well as Gills boss Lovell.

He said: “I’m delighted we are definitely staying up.

“The main thing in this game was to get over the line and achieve safety.

“I have lost a few hairs on my head getting there, but all credit to everyone involved. It’s a big relief.

“I’m pleased for Elliott List, scoring his first goal for us. I told him he won’t get a more important one.

“At one point Rochdale were winning and it was a bit tense on the bench. Then they fell behind, Elliott scored and everything changed.

“We knew it would be tough coming to a place like Bristol Rovers, but the lads gave everything.”

Tom Eaves hit a post for Gillingham in a drab first half that saw Tom Nichols and Ellis Harrison go close for Rovers.

Skipper Lee Martin headed over for the visitors in the second half and it looked like they were heading for defeat when Rovers substitute Dom Telford headed home on 86 minutes after his initial shot had been blocked.

But List had other ideas, finding space in a crowded box deep into four minutes of added time and shooting beneath the body of the diving Sam Slocombe from ten yards.

Rovers were anticipating a better send-off for long-serving leftback Lee Brown, playing his final game for the club after seven seasons of loyal service. at the Memorial Stadium. Manager Darrell Clarke said: “I want to thank our fans for their support all season and Lee Brown for seven years with us in which he has been an absolute credit.

“It was very frustrating and disappointing to concede so late. “For whatever reason we looked leggy and were not able to carry on the momentum of Tuesday night’s performance against Wigan.

“It was great to see the tribute our fans paid to Lee.

“We will miss him in our dressing room and he won’t be easy to replace.

“Recruitment in the summer will be key and we will endeavour to get the balance right. League One gets tougher every season and there are some big clubs coming down from the Championship.”