New Gills boss Mark Stimson was just ten minutes away from securing a historic win away at the Liberty Stadium until an 80th minute close-range strike from Paul Anderson ensured that the teams would share the points. The Gills had taken the lead, for the first time since the Bournemouth tie last season, through a fantastic 25 yard strike from Delroy Facey. But it proved not enough as the Swans piled on the pressure in the second-half. Darren Pratley fired in a dangerous cross, that ran inside the Gills six-yard box, where Paul Anderson was lurking to hit home. Swansea looked to have secured all three points right at the death when the referee gave a contentious penalty but Simon Royce was equal to it and made sure that justice was firmly restored.
Stimson had begun his charge as the Gillingham boss with a hard fought half-time lead away at the Liberty Stadium. The Gills took the lead in the ninth minute when, after a poor clearance from defence, the ball fell to the feet of Facey who took a touch to set himself and then unleash a wonder strike that flew past Swansea's Dorus De Vries. The match took a controversial turn when Swans player Warren Feeney was shown a straight red for a dangerous tackle on Simon King. King was okay but Feeney had to make the long walk back to the dressing room.
Facey's goal marked the first chance for the Gills as Stimson's men had to deal with some early pressure. In the fifth minute keeper Simon Royce was called into action when Thomas Butler cut in from a wide position and aimed a well struck shot at the Gills goal. Royce made hard work of the save and the ball fell into the path of the on-coming Warren Feeney, but his effort was blocked and then cleared by Efe Sodje.
The goal, the Gills first away lead since Bournemouth last season, stunned Swansea and the nervousness within the crowd seemed to immediately filter down onto the pitch. The brilliantly named Angel Rangel failed to see Gary Mulligan lurking on his shoulder and his poor back pass was duly latched onto by the young Ireland striker. De Vries made himself big in the Swans goal, which seemed to intimidate Mulligan as he closed in. The Gills striker struck but De Vries was able to pull off a decent save and gather the ball.
Then, in the 22nd minute, the game took a nasty turn as Swansea's Warren Feeney was shown a straight red card for a tackle deemed to be studs-up by referee Mr Attwell. The tackle left Simon King curled up in pain on the floor and forced Mr Attwell to give the young midfielder his marching orders. Gillingham almost took full advantage of the extra-man but Mark Bentley's free header, from six-yards out, was well saved by Dorus De Vries.
Swansea came out to the second-half a man down but wholly revitalised and they immediately set obout applying intense pressure. In the 53rd minute the scores seemed to have been brought level when an inswinging corner was put into his own net by Ian Cox, however the referee spared the experienced defender's blushes when he gave a foul on Simon Royce.
Leon Britton was the next player to test the Gills keeper with his well struck, 25 yard strike well saved by Royce.
Minutes later Royce was called into action again when Paul Anderson's speculative strike was dangerously deflected by Jason Scotland but the ball flew harmlessly into the keeper's arms
It seemed to be all Swans throughout the half and they looked certain to score when Paul Anderson was free infront of goal but his strike was, once again, well saved by Royce who was able to tip it over the bar.
Finally the scores were levelled when Darren Pratley's dangerous cross was converted by the lively Paul Anderson who, at six yards out, only had to hit the target and he did so with aplomb. Unbelievably Swansea had the chance to seal the three points right at the death when a contentious penalty when Britton seemed to fall all to easily in the box. Andy Robinson stepped up but his effort was brilliantly saved by Simon Royce whose performance all evening was top class.
One game in and a first point away from home, new manager Mark Stimson has got his reign as Gillingham manager off to a brilliant start. The Gills will next be in action on Tuesday night when Doncaster Rovers visit The KRBS Priestfield Stadium. To buy your ticket please call the GFC Ticket Office on 01634 300 000
TEAM NEWS: Chris Dickson is demoted to the bench with Mulligan and Graham given the nod to partner Delroy Facey in an attacking formation:
Gillingham: 12 Simon Royce; 2 Nicky Southall; 6 Ian Cox; 5 Simon King; 16 Efe Sodje; 8 Mark Bentley; 14 Aaron Brown; 7 Andrew Crofts; 20 Dave Graham; 9 Gary Mulligan; 10 Delroy Facey
Subs: 22 Derek Stillie; 4 Steve Lomas; 19 Sean Clohessy; 26 Chris Dickson
23 Barry Cogan on for 20 Dave Graham (72)
Swansea: 21 Dorus De Vries; 7 Leon Britton; 8 Darren Pratley; 9 Jason Scotland; 14 Marcos Painter; 15 Dennis Lawrence; 16 Garry Monk; 22 Angel Rangel; 26 Paul Anderson; 28 Thomas Butler; 35 Warren Feeney
Subs: 3 Kevin Austin; 4 Kristian O'Leary; 11 Darryl Duffy; 18 Andy Robinson; 33 Joe Allen
Cautions:
Swansea City - Pratley (49)
Gillingham - Cox (65)
Sent-Off:
Swansea City - Warren Feeney (22); Gary Monk (63)
Gillingham -
Referee: S B Attwell
Asst Refs: P J Grove, A Matthews
4th Official: S C Knapp
All the latest action from the Liberty Stadium live here on www.gillinghamfootballclub.com
