Gillingham were minutes away from a vital three points here at KRBS Priestfield until Hasney Aljofree converted from three yards to bring the scores level. The Gills had taken the lead in the first minute when Garry Richards ghosted around the back of the Swindon defence and connected with a Nicky Southall free kick.
With much riding on the game for the Gills - a loss would mean definite relegation to League Two - they knew that they had to take the game to Swindon and with the opener notched within the opening minute, it was a good start.
Gillingham were looking confident, knocking the ball around with neat one-touch passes, each one sharp and accurate. WIth the crowd fully behind them, the Gills pushed forward and created their next chance on seven minutes when Stuart Lewis, who was doing well linking up the play, put through Simeon Jackson. The Gills forward, on the far corner of the box, swivelled and shot but his effort was weak and the keeper ended up gathering it comfortably.
Swindon responded and should have restored parity had Lee Peacock had the coolness of mind to take the ball closer to goal when he was put through. The Gills defence had tried to catch him offside, but the flag stayed down, and he honed in on goal. However, instead of taking it forward, the Swindon striker hit a right footed shot that fizzed wide.
John Nutter, who scored last weekend against Bristol Rovers, then saw his 25 yard drive fly over the bar before Simon King directed a free header over the bar from another excellent Southall cross.
Maurice Malpas' side were visibly shaken by the Gills start to the game and none moreso than Robins keeper Peter Brezovan who came out to collect a long ball but it spilled out of his hand and into the path of Jackson. The forward, with his back to goal, tried to volley the ball into the net but it ran harmlessly wide.
The visitors' best chance of the half actually fell to a blue shirt when Garry Richards almost cancelled out his own goal. On his attempt to hack away a cross the ball screwed up off his left boot and over the bar - much to the relief of 6,000 fans.
At the other end and Gillingham should have doubled their lead through both Andrew Crofts and Jackson. Good work just outside the box from Lewis saw Crofts end up with the ball. He turned on a six-pence and took it past one defender before unleashing a low dirve that rebounded off a red shirt. The ball dropped into the path of Jackson who, on the angle, snapped a shot at goal but the keeper comfortably saved.
Then a moment of controversy. Gary Mulligan took the ball into the box before being accromoniously tripped about five yards inside the area. The appeals went up and the referee blew for the foul but instead of pointing to the spot he adjudged it to be a free kick on the edge of the box. The decision fuelled prolonged protest but the decision stood and Southall stepped up for the free kick, which was comfortably saved by the keeper.
The second half was far removed from the first and the tempo decreased to almost walking pace but the Gills continued to create chances. On 53, Jackson's low drive was inches wide of the far post. The lively forward was put through one-on-one with the keeper and aimed a low left footed drive that fizzed past the far post.
Fans then had to wait for the 70th minute for the next chance on goal when Southall curled in a free kick that deceived the keeper and forced him into a save at his top right corner.
However, it was to be the final highlight of the afternoon as Swindon drew the scores level two minutes from the final whistle. The Gills failed to clear from a corner and the ball dropped to Hasney Aljofree who had the simple task of tapping it in from three yards. KRBS Priestfield fell silent. The Swindon fans celebrated and soon after the referee blew his whistle.
All being well and Cheltenham fail to win away at Oldham this afternoon, Gillingham will need a win away at Leeds United a week from today. To book your tickets please call the GFC Ticket Office on 01634 300 000.
Striker Gary Mulligan is preferred to Georges Ba and Dennis Oli, while young midfielder Stuart Lewis is given the nod in midfield.
Mark Bentley returns to the squad following a suspension will be on the bench.
Gillingham:22. Derek Stillie, 4. Danny Cullip, 5. Simon King, 7. Andrew Crofts (c), 9. Gary Mulligan, 11. Nicky Southall, 20. Simeon Jackson, 27. Kevin Maher, 35. John Nutter, 37. Garry Richards, 39. Stuart Lewis
Subs:13. Chris Kiely, 8. Mark Bentley, 24. Georges Ba, 28. Dennis Oli, 30. Leroy Griffiths
Swindon Town: 12. Peter Brezovan, 2. Jack Smith, 5. Jerel Ifil, 16. Hasney Aljofree (c), 3. Jamie Vincent, 8. Craig Easton, 18. Michael Timlin, 10. Jon-Paul McGovern, 27. Anthoney MaNamee, 31. Simon Cox, 4. Lee Peacock
Subs: 1. Phil Smith, 20. Billy Paynter, 35. Ben Joyce, 25. Sean Morrison, 24. Chris Allen
