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Barnet 2 Gillingham 2

21:45, 16 August 2011

Jack Payne
Jack Payne

Gillingham were denied a third successive victory in League 2 after conceding an injury time goal at Barnet on Tuesday.

The Gills took a first half lead through Danny Spiller but Barnet levelled the scores just after the hour mark through Izale McLeod.

Payne restored Gills’ lead with a wonder strike from 30 yards but the game finished all-square when McLeod popped up again in the final minute of stoppage time.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler had made just one change to his starting XI, and the only change he has made since the season opener. In came Curtis Weston for Chris Whelpdale, who was out with a dead leg.

Weston was first to test the hands of Barnet keeper Dean Brill with a low shot that was held by the keeper.

The seventh-minute opener arrived on a plate for the Gills when Charlie Lee’s long throw dropped in the box and Spiller, who scored in Saturday’s 2-1 win at Crewe, had a simple tap-in from close range.

Danny Kedwell, still searching his first goal of the season, came close with a glancing header that was deflected just wide. From the resulting corner Lewis Montrose had a chance that hit keeper Brill.

The home keeper knew little of the save and at the other end Ross Flitney somehow got a block on Matt Lawrence’s clearance that was heading into his own net. Flitney made a number of routine saves towards the end of the half as Barnet put some pressure on.

Weston smashed an early second half chance over the bar for the Gills and the same player poked an effort wide moments later from Kedwell’s knock down.

With 61 minutes gone Barnet levelled the scores when McLeod headed home unmarked from just a few yards out.

Three minutes later Jason Price smashed a low effort against the post and on 68 minutes Barnet had the ball in the net through Mark Byrne, but the referee had already blown for a foul. The subsequent free-kick sailed safely over the bar.

Gills survived the onslaught and with 73 minutes gone they retook the lead with a long-range effort from Payne, to thrill the 1,052 away supporters that had made the journey.

That goal took some steam out of the home side but they pressed again in injury time and with four extra minutes on the clock a deep free-kick into the box found McLeod and he slammed the ball home.

Barnet: Brill, Senda, Parkes, Uddin, Hughes (Fraser 46mins), Byrne, Deering (Holmes 82mins), Kamdjo, Marshall, McLeod, Price (Taylor 80mins). Subs not used: Geohaghon, O’Brien.

Gills: Flitney, Fuller, Martin, Lawrence, Frampton, Lee, J Payne (Jackman 74mins), Spiller (Oli 66mins), Montrose, Weston (Fish 80mins), Kedwell. Subs not used: Richards, Gazzaniga.

Attendance: 2,466.

How did you think the Gills played? Comment below.

Caption: Jack Payne celebrates his goal at Barnet with Barry Fuller and Andy Frampton Picture: Barry Goodwin

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