Coca-Cola League One
Saturday 7th October 2006
Venue: Gresty Road

CREWE ALEXANDRA 4 GILLINGHAM 3

Gillingham's 30 year Gresty Road hoodoo has continued, after giving away a 3-1 lead against Crewe Alexandra to suffer a heartbreaking 4-3 loss.

It has been a recurring theme throughout the season, the Gills dominating for the majority of the match before fading in the final 15 minutes. Spectacular long range efforts from Alan Pouton and Michael Flynn were complimented by a smart Dean McDonald finish on half time to set up a 3-1 lead, but the Railwaymen's recovery ensured the Gills misery away from home would continue.

Crewe had headed into the match in blistering form after knocking off high flying Carlisle 5-1, but, as they have done often this season, the Gills made a lighning start as they tried to make it 16 from 21 possible points in recent times, Pouton enjoying the first opportunity of the match as his fourth minute effort went just wide.

McDonald joined Pouton as the men returning to the starting side, and he too had the chance to open the account, when he got on the end of a great ball into the near post, his effort too sailing narrowly wide.

Ben Williams may have sensed he'd be in for a busy afternoon when he was forced into a fine save on 16 minutes, as good lead up work from Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu allowed Matt Jarvis to turn inside his man and unleash toward goal.

All the hard work was finally rewarded, and in spectacular fashion on 21 minutes, when the returning Pouton unleashed a left footed half volley from 25 yards, his shot taking a minor deflection, and ending up in the top corner, Williams appearing to have little chance, regardless of the deviation.

Seven minutes later Michael Flynn took a leaf out of Pouton's book to double the advantage, McDonald providing a neat ball allowing the skipper to tee up and fire past Williams, also from long range.

But Crewe refused to lay down and had the chance to peg one back soon after, as Luke Varney benefited from a ball over the top to beat Ian Cox and think about a shot, before cutting back for Nicky Maynard who's shot sailed safely over the bar.

It wasn't long before the Railwaymen did open their account though, as McDonald lost out in the midfield allowing Maynard to latch on the end of a through ball, and set himself up one on one with Scott Flinders, neatly finishing beyond the Gills custodian.

Ndumbu Nsungu failed to utilise McDonald when he had his strike partner unmarked in first half injury time, but made up for it on the stroke of half time, making a lovely run toward the byline after being unleashed by Flynn, his ball in falling at the feet of McDonald, who showed fantastic skill in turning and slotting home past Williams to cap a completely dominant first half display.

The Gills made a solid start to the second half also and looked like a side which was ready to add to its sole away victory of the season, Mark Bentley shooting over the bar on 55 minutes, while McDonald forced Williams into another fine save on 62 minutes.

Dario Gradi's decision to introduce Rodney Jack on 62 minutes was the beginning of the end though, and just six minutes after coming on the Alex was back within a goal, Jack's stunning 30 yard effort right up there with Pouton and Flynn's first half goals, leaving Flinders with no chance.

It was Flinders denying Crewe from levelling on 74 minutes, sticking out a leg to deny Maynard one on one, after the striker had beaten off Clint Easton to the ball.

The home side again missed an opportunity to draw level, Julien Baudet blazing over unmarked from eight yards on 82 minutes, at the other end Matty Jarvis blazed over from the edge of the box before forcing Williams to parry around the post a minute later.

With a minute remaining in normal time the equaliser came, Mark Bentley's poor clearance giving Michael O'Connor a corner, his ball in met at the near post by Daniel O'Donnell, who headed home past Flinders.

But that wasn't the end of it for the Gills, still desperately clinging to a point, when Luke Varney snatched the three points for the Alex by firing home in the final minute of the four minutes of time added on. 

Gillingham: Flinders, Jupp, Flynn, Cox, Bentley, McDonald (Spiller 70), Easton, Johnson, Jarvis, Ndumbu-Nsungu, Pouton (Clohessy 79).
Subs Not Used - Jackman, Savage, Collin.

Crewe Alexandra: Williams, Otsemobor, Jones (O'Donnell 45), Roberts, Baudet, Cox, O'Connor, Varney, Lowe (Jack 62), Maynard (Matthews 79), Kempson.
Subs Not Used - Tomlinson, Rix.

Bookings: Easton (Gillingham)

O'Connor (Crewe)

Attendance: 5,022

Referee: Mr Eddie Ilderton (Tyne and Wear)

Match Report by Glen Lauder