Late drama at Donny as Gills boss has to settle for a draw.
Gillingham Manager Steve Lovell was massively disappointed to see his side denied all three points against Doncaster despite leading going into added time after three superb goals from the Gills had set them on course for a significant victory.
A first-half screamer from Barry Fuller, his first for the club, and another superb goal from Tom Eaves put the Gills in command at the break.
But Doncaster fought back with scrappy goals from Marquis and Wilks drawing the hosts level. Gillingham thought they had snatched it at the death when Max Ehmer lashed from a corner but a deflected effort from Taylor cruelly denied the Gills all three points as a 3-3 draw was confirmed.
Lovell was proud of the fight his side showed against a quality team that are riding high but was left devastated by the goals conceded, particularly the stoppage time equaliser which was inadvertently turned past Holy by Ehmer.
“I’m speechless really – it was a gutsy performance from us but when your luck’s out, your luck’s out," Lovell said.
“When things like that go against you in the box, especially in time added on, to have a deflected goal going in when you have fought your way back to 3-2 it speaks volumes.
“For the majority of the game we had them beat – at times we could have used the ball a lot better, but on reflection of the game you’re just so disappointed to come away with only one point. But, it’s still a well earnt point.
“We scored three really good goals, but then they get three sloppy, normal run of the mill goals which you’ve got to defend.
“I’m so disappointed for the boys today, I really am. To get three points would have been fantastic.”
Gills travel to Plymouth on Tuesday night in a massive game as the club looks to pull clear of the relegation zone.
“We go to Plymouth on Tuesday and hopefully our luck will turn around and we will start winning games that we deserve to win.
“I take a lot out of the way they performed today and the way they worked. We can score goals against most teams in this league, it’s at the other end that we need to be a little bit more resolute.
“I’m not worried about [Plymouth] – it’s about us going there and putting in a shift like we have today and we’ll win the game. If we’re at it we can beat any time in this league.”
Barry Fuller’s first goal for the Club was a memorable one. He chested the ball down and smashed a first-time volley into the bottom corner to give the Gills the lead, and Lovell was full of praise for his summer signing.
“It was his first goal for six years and you could tell that because he didn’t know how to celebrate. He was quite shocked himself, but it was a great goal.
“He doesn’t score many so it was nice for him to get that goal and it set us up nicely. He scored that goal and he turned into Maradonna – he was doing turns and all sorts out there!
“He wears his heart on his sleeve, he’s fit as a fiddle and he can score goals.”