Gillingham 2 Crawley Town 2: League 2 match report from Priestfield Stadium

Gillingham twice led at Priestfield but had to settle for a point from a pulsating game against Crawley Town.

Crawley hit the woodwork a couple of times before Bradley Dack put the Gills ahead. A harsh offside decision denied him a second, and after Geraldo Bajrami levelled the game, Robbie McKenzie tucked away a penalty to restore Gillingham’s lead, only for Kabongo Tshimanga to make it 2-2.

Gillingham made changes in the attacking areas for the league visit of Crawley Town.

The Gills had ended a five-game winless streak the week before against Bristol Rovers.

Gareth Ainsworth’s side started the match 10th in the League 2 table, up against a Crawley side who had won their previous two but sitting just above the drop zone.

Eliott Nevitt missed out against Crawley through suspension and Seb Palmer-Houlden was also absent.

In their place was winger Garath McCleary and captain-for-the-night Dack.

Kicking off at the later time of 5.30pm to fit into Sky Sports’ TV schedule, the Gills survived a few early scares.

Crawley broke from a home corner and Josh Flint was played in by Reece Brown with just the keeper to beat but Jake Turner saved.

It was the woodwork that saved the Gills from Bajrami’s glancing header moments later.

Turner also needed to be alert to get behind Charlie Barker’s long-range effort as Crawley bossed the early stage of the game.

Sam Gale tried to raise the Gills after a timely challenge to deny Louis Fowler from latching onto Brown’s ball through the middle, passionately gesturing to the Rainham End after winning his battle.

With half an hour gone the Gills were denied an opener by keeper Joe Wollacott, saving well from Remeao Hutton and then keeping out the follow-up from Khumbeni before Josh Andrews