Harrogate Town 5 Gillingham 1: League 2 match report from the Envirovent Stadium, Wetherby Road

Gillingham’s play-off hopes were left all but over after throwing away the advantage at Harrogate.

George Lapslie had put Gillingham ahead late in the first half but Harrogate stormed back after the break with three goals in a ten-minute spell to turn the match on its head. Jack Muldoon and Abraham Odoh added stoppage-time efforts to make it 5-1.

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Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence stuck with the same eleven which had started so well on the Friday before fading and playing out a goalless draw with Crewe.

Heading into Easter Monday’s game with just one win in six, a victory was almost a must for the Gills at a Harrogate side with just one win in 10.

Clemence’s side started the afternoon hanging onto seventh place in League 2 but their hosts maintained a slim chance of making the play-off themselves. The Gills needed at least one win over the Easter period to stay in the hunt but took just a point from the two games.

Four wins from their remaining four games could still give the Gills hope of making the play-off but on current form and performances that isn’t going to happen.

Gillingham made a positive start but their chances lacked the quality to unsettle the home keeper as he made a few routine saves early on.

Home defender Rod McDonald attempted an overhead kick that sailed over the Gills bar but went closer later in the half with a downward header from a corner that forced Glenn Morris into a reflex save. The loose ball was hooked clear.

The Gills survived the home side’s brief spell of pressure and Harrogate’s Matty Fouls almost turned a Max Clark cross into his own net at the other end.

The Gills took a one-goal lead into the break when Levi Sutton diverted Hutton’s cross at his