Swindon Town 1 Gillingham 1: League 2 match report from the County Ground - Tim Dieng’s goal cancelled out by Harry Smith

Gillingham were denied a much-needed win on Saturday after conceding in stoppage-time.

Swindon played over 80 minutes with 10 men after an early red card for defender Grant Hall and the Gills took advantage with an opening goal scored by Tim Dieng. Gillingham were denied the victory as Harry Smith headed home in the third minute of injury-time.

Gillingham were in desperate need of at least a point to end October on a high after losing all five of their previous games during the month. They looked on course before Smith rose to head home on 93 minutes.

There was a change of formation for the Gills, manager Mark Bonner switching to a 3-5-2 from the start for the first time.

Euan Williams was making his first start in the Football League while Jacob Wakeling was chosen to partner Oli Hawkins upfront for the Gills.

Swindon had newly appointed manager Ian Holloway watching from the stands after sacking their head coach Mark Kennedy a day before the fixture. A trio of coaches took charge of them for the match, with the new man due to start officially on the Monday.

The home coaching staff were up and down the stairs to the main stand consulting the new boss - who couldn’t sit on the bench after not being named on the teamsheet - during a frantic opening period that saw Swindon reduced to 10 men and the Gills taking the lead.

A reckless challenge from central defender Hall in the middle of the pitch on Dieng deservedly led to his ninth-minute dismissal, although referee Anthony Backhouse still needed to consult his assistants before making a decision, after initially showing a yellow card.

Oli Hawkins hit the crossbar with a header soon after the red card and when former Swindon striker Jacob Wakeling was unable to connect with