The Gills remain unbeaten in 2010 with a battling performance to secure a point against highflying Q.P.R. at Beechings Cross.
Fielding a strong, well organised side, Rangers set-up in an attacking 4-3-3 formation and set the tone for the majority of the match with a dominant 20 minute opening spell which saw the visitors control the match without really troubling the Gills defence.
Christian Nanetti's 23rd minute header was cleared off the line while Conor Quinn kept out Sutherland's 25-yard free-kick to keep the score 0-0 at the half-time break.
Gillingham's resistance was finally broken in the 55th minute, Nanetti crossing for Sam Bewick to drive into the bottom left corner from 15-yards out and things could have got worse for the home side shortly after.
Rangers were awarded a penalty after Max Ehmer's cross was handled in the area but the woodwork came to Gillingham's rescue as Javonne Molloy's finish struck the right-hand post before cannoning to safety off the left-hand upright.
With the clock winding down, the West Londoners were made to pay for not killing-off their hosts in the 88th minute as Alex Brown's corner was only partially cleared and Charlie Stimson arrived to nod in the resulting centre at the far post.
Manager Mark Patterson felt the result was a reflection of his young sides growing maturity, "I'm pleased to come away with a point because I think that possibly, before the break, we may have lost that game.
"We've taken four points from the last two games but the manner in which we've played has been particularly encouraging. They've both been physical battles but we've stood up to the challenge and long may that continue."
Gillingham: Conor Quinn, Ollie Bartrum, Connor Essam, Callum Davies, Jack Evans, Nathan Nyafli, Dean Rance, Tom Brunt, Ryan Benniman (George Humber 75), Sam Fisher(Alex Brown 45), Charlie Stimson.
Subs: James Brown, Daran Hawkes, Jake MacKenzie.
Goal scorers:
Dean Rance 7
Tom Murphy 6
Charlie Stimson 3
Callum Day 2
Ryan Benniman 1
Connor Essam 1
George Humber 1
Own Goal 1
|
South East Conference |
Pld |
W |
D |
L |
For |
Agt |
GD |
Pts |
|
1 |
Southend United |
14 |
10 |
2 |
2 |
30 |
22 |
+8 |
32 |
|
2 |
Queens Park Rangers |
11 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
25 |
14 |
+11 |
21 |
|
3 |
Brentford |
13 |
6 |
2 |
5 |
27 |
19 |
+8 |
20 |
|
4 |
Northampton Town |
10 |
6 |
1 |
3 |
19 |
11 |
+8 |
19 |
|
5 |
Wycombe Wanderers |
11 |
6 |
1 |
4 |
17 |
13 |
+4 |
19 |
|
6 |
Peterborough United |
12 |
6 |
0 |
6 |
27 |
19 |
+8 |
18 |
|
7 |
Millwall |
11 |
5 |
2 |
4 |
23 |
17 |
+6 |
17 |
|
8 |
Luton Town |
12 |
5 |
2 |
5 |
20 |
25 |
-5 |
17 |
|
9 |
Leyton Orient |
12 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
15 |
17 |
-2 |
15 |
|
10 |
Colchester United |
12 |
5 |
0 |
7 |
16 |
20 |
-4 |
15 |
|
11 |
Brighton & Hove Albion |
9 |
4 |
2 |
3 |
18 |
16 |
+2 |
14 |
|
12 |
Aldershot Town |
12 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
17 |
20 |
-3 |
12 |
|
13 |
Gillingham |
12 |
3 |
3 |
6 |
11 |
21 |
-10 |
12 |
|
14 |
Dagenham & Redbridge |
11 |
3 |
2 |
6 |
18 |
20 |
-2 |
11 |
|
15 |
Barnet |
12 |
1 |
1 |
10 |
12 |
41 |
-29 |
4 |
