Gills were forced to settle for a point as Barrow came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw thanks to Josh Gordon’s second-half brace at MEMS Priestfield Stadium.
Gills led 2-0 at half-time thanks to a Jack Earing own goal and Aaron Rowe’s first goal of the season. However, the visitors battled back during the second period and Gordon was on hand to score twice from inside the penalty area to ensure the game ended all square.
Gareth Ainsworth made one change from the goalless draw at Colchester, as Elliott Nevitt came into the starting XI, replacing Seb Palmer-Houlden, who dropped to the bench. Nelson Khumbeni and Andy Smith were fit enough to be named among the substitutes.
Aaron Rowe had the first opportunity of the game after 13 minutes. He went short with a corner to Bradley Dack, who curled a cross towards the front post. That was headed clear, but Rowe was quick to react and picked up on the loose ball inside the penalty area. He took a touch before getting a shot away, with his attempt going over the crossbar.
Nevitt tried his luck with a snapshot in the 20th minute. The ball fell to him 25 yards from the goal, and with it bouncing, he struck it on the half-volley. Unfortunately, he could not hit the target, and it swerved wide.
In the 25th minute, Gillingham took the lead through an own goal. Nevitt did brilliantly to win possession down the right-hand side and took the ball into the penalty area. He got his head up and drilled the ball into the six-yard box towards Bradley Dack, where Jack Earing managed to get the final touch as he back tracked to clear.
Rowe made it two three minutes later. He received the ball on the left touchline, with acres of space to move into. Rowe carried it into the penalty area, taking it beyond Charlie Raglan before stroking the ball into the far corner of the net.
Moments later, Nevitt nearly made it three. Garath McCleary received the ball on the left side of the penalty area before taking it inside and playing a low ball towards the near post. Nevitt met it, but could not readjust himself in time and he sent it wide of the post.
Travis Akomeah was the next one to try his luck. The Watford loanee received the ball 20 yards out with his back to the goal. He turned and sent a low drive towards the far corner that went just wide of the post.
McCleary forced Wyll Stanway into action on the stroke of half-time. Ethan Coleman slipped a pass through to him on the right side of the penalty area. McCleary took a touch out of his feet before sending a low drive towards the far bottom corner. However, Stanway got a solid hand behind it to push it away from the danger and just out of the reach of the oncoming Rowe.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 2-0 Barrow
Robbie McKenzie struck the side netting in the opening moments of the second half. Remeao Hutton’s long throw was allowed to bounce, making its way to McKenzie on the left side of the box. He struck a shot towards the near post, bouncing it into the ground, but could not direct it on target and it went the wrong side of the post.
In the 58th minute, Josh Gordon pulled a goal back for the visitors. The ball was played down the right for Tom Barkhuizen, who set himself before curling a cross into the penalty area. That found the rising Gordon, who did brilliantly to angle his header into the top corner of the net, leaving an outstretched Jake Turner with no chance of keeping it out.
Gills made their first change after 67 minutes with Khumbeni replacing Dack.
Moments later, Nevitt saw his shot saved by Stanway. The forward had the ball on the right side of the penalty area before striking goalward from a tight angle. Stanway stood his ground, blocking the attempt before the visitors cleared their lines.
Gordon scored his, and Barrow’s second, with seven minutes remaining. Gills could not clear their lines, and the ball was played to Scott Smith on the right-hand side of the box. He drilled a low ball towards the back post, where Gordon was lying in wait to tap it in from close range.
Gillingham made their two final changes, with Andy Smith and Jonny Williams replacing Rowe and Akomeah respectively.
The hosts were forced to play the final minutes with ten men, as Khumbeni went off with an apparent shoulder injury.
In the closing seconds, Barrow nearly secured all three points. The ball fell to MJ Williams around the penalty spot, but his stab towards the goal floated harmlessly into the hands of Turner.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 2-2 Barrow
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Akomeah (J. Williams 88’), McKenzie, Gale, Rowe (A. Smith 88’), Coleman, Little, Dack (Khumbeni 67’), McCleary (Palmer-Houlden 72’), Nevitt
Unused Substitutes: Holtam, Clark, Ogie
Barrow: Stanway, Shipley, Williams, Raglan, Jackson (Newby 72’), McCann, Hemmings, Earing (Smith 59’), Gordon, Barkhuizen (Mahoney 59’), Whitfield (Worrall 80’)
Unused Substitutes: Winterbottom, Cameron
Referee: Farai Hallam
Attendance: 5500 (76 away fans)
