Gillingham 1 Tranmere Rovers 1 match report: Stoppage-time Tim Dieng goal disallowed after Conor Masterson cancels out Regan Hendry’s effort in League 2 fixture at Priestfield

A controversial officiating decision denied Gillingham a comeback League 2 victory at home against Tranmere on Saturday.

Midfielder Tim Dieng thought he had won it at the death but saw his effort controversially ruled out for handball, as the away side attempted to clear their lines.

The play-off chasing Gills did get a point, with Conor Masterson cancelling out Regan Hendry's early opener as it finished 1-1 after a real match of two halves. It means Gillingham remain unbeaten at home in the league since Boxing Day and they are now seventh.

The game got off to a quick start in front of a crowd of 6,077 at Priestfield.

Striker Ashley Nadesan sent a Remeao Hutton free-kick narrowly wide for the hosts after it had been headed across goal before Rovers’ captain and top scorer Connor Jennings fired an effort from a low left-wing cross straight at Gills goalkeeper Glenn Morris.

But the away side broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when a right-wing delivery by Lee O’Connor was half-cleared only as far as Hendry. The midfielder fired in off Morris’ left-hand post to spark jubilant scenes among the 207 visitors’ fans who had made the mammoth journey.

Good keeping by the vastly-experienced Morris prevented Harvey Saunders having a great chance to double Tranmere’s lead on 19 minutes, as he rushed out to deny Saunders. Soon after, Blackpool loanee Rob Apter blasted over.

But the Gills almost levelled midway through the half. Dieng met a Max Clark cross, only for Frenchman Dieng to see his header fall inches wide of visiting goalkeeper Luke McGee’s left-hand post.

Oli Hawkins was next to go close for Stephen Clemence’s side, testing McGee with a 35th-minute header from a Jonny Williams cross.

Just before the interval, Clark