Max Clark scored a dramatic late penalty to help Gills battle back from two goals down to earn a draw at Bromley.
The visitors had gone two goals behind within the first 15 minutes, but Josh Andrews pulled one back before Clark kept his cool in stoppage time to ensure Gareth Ainsworth’s men remain unbeaten this season.
The manager made one change to the side that defeated Crewe a week earlier. Jonny Williams replaced Bradley Dack who missed out due to injury.
Garath McCleary and Jonny Smith were among the subs.
Michael Cheek started up front for Bromley with former Gills loanee Ben Thompson on the bench.
Bromley didn’t take long to seize the initiative. A ball forward was controlled by Cheek in the opening 10 minutes and he chested in towards Kabamba. His shot, on the turn, found the bottom right corner.
Five minutes later and it was two-nil. Idris Odutayo produced a cross from the left wing and Cheek’s header found the bottom left corner.
Cheek was involved against on 22 minutes when a ball over the top saw Kabamba beat the offside trap and go through on goal. He tried to lift the ball over Morris who read it well and made a strong save. Cheek looked destined to head it home but McKenzie got back to head off the line.
Gills perhaps should have got at least one back before the break. Andrews hassled his defender to the point that he made an error and the striker pounced. He went through on goal, went to pass an effort beyond the keeper but Grant Smith stood up tall and made a fine stop.
H/T: Bromley 2-0 Gillingham
The first half chance went Gills way in the second period. Hutton was in an advanced position and had been offered space in which to shoot.
His left footed strike lacked power and the Bromley keeper was able top watch the ball go past him.
Moments later and Smith had to be alert to deny Nevitt. Little’s corner was a powerful one and the striker peeled off his marker. The header was a strong one but the keeper managed to palm it away before Andrews had a shot blocked.
The striker had an even better chance shortly after when Clark’s cross from deep caught the defence cold, however Andrews glanced a header inches wide.
He made no mistake however just short of the hour when Hutton’s throw was brilliantly flicked on by the striker, and the ball found the opposite corner.
Bromley nearly restored their two goal advantage within minutes, but Cheek’s effort across Morris struck the post before being cleared.
With 75 minutes on the clock, Bromley had the chance to potentially clinch the game when Mitch Pinnock was released on the left side. He went for power and stung the gloves of Morris with Cheek’s follow up deflected for a corner which was cleared.
The visitors threw everything forward in the closing stages, and Jonny Smith nearly netted on his debut following some fine hold up play by Sam Vokes.
The winger’s shot was very well saved. However, Gills finally did find a second goal in the ninth minute of stoppage time. McCleary, on as a sub, was fouled inside the box and the referee took a few seconds before pointing to the spot.
Vokes picked up the ball but gave it to Clark once the keeper, who had been treated for injury, was ready to resume.
Clark sent it down the middle and Gills hung on to secure a point.
F/T: Bromley 2-2 Gillingham
Bromley: Smith, Charles, Sowumni, Cameron (Webster 52), Kabamba (Dinanga 87), Hondermarck, Whitely (Arthurs 57), Ifill (Krauhaus 57), Odutayo, Pinnock, Cheek
Unused subs: Long, Thompson, Umolu
Gills: Morris, Hutton (J Smith 63), Gale, A Smith, McKenzie, Clark, Coleman (Khumbeni 57), Little (McCleary 64), J Williams, Nevitt (Vokes 64), Andrews (Rowe 70)
Unused subs: Turner, Cirino
Referee: Mr James Durkin
Attendance: 3005 (481)
