Gillingham 0 Wycombe Wanderers 1
Cody McDonald looks for a way through against
Wycombe Picture: Barry Goodwin
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham’s home frailties continued as
lowly Wycombe took maximum points from their visit to
Priestfield.
Substitute Matt McClure struck the winner for Wycombe with five
minutes remaining as the visitors created numerous chances in the
second half.
The Gills had bossed the early stages but
failed to stamp their authority on the game, and take their
chances, allowing Wycombe back in.
In stoppage time visiting keeper Jordan
Archer was assaulted by a supporter, who ran on the pitch from
the Rainham End, ensuring it was a game to forget for the Gills but
one which may prove costly in more ways than one.
Gillingham boss Martin Allen stuck with the
same starting XI for the second match running.
The only change was on the bench, where new
signing Anton Robinson came in for the recently departed Ben
Strevens.
There were familiar faces in the Wycombe
line-up as former striker Jo Kuffour was joined by Stuart Lewis for
the visitors.
The best of the early chances fell to the
Gills but nothing was troubling keeper Jordan Archer, as shots from
Matt Fish and Myles Weston went straight into his arms. A
15th minute shot from Charlie Lee went well wide.
Archer did have to get down sharply to deny
Deon Burton, as the Gills striker hit an effort goalwards from the
edge of the box.
The Gills got closer still when Leon Legge
headed a corner downwards but Archer was there to save
one-handed.
Gillingham were almost made to pay for not
taking their chances as Wycombe’s Sam Wood forced Nelson into a
finger-tip save from distance. The Gills keeper also had to race
off his line to deny striker Dean Morgan.
As half-time approached Joel Grant was
allowed a free run at goal from his own half but the shot was
deflected wide.
A change at the break saw Anton Robinson
coming on to make his Gills debut, replacing Andy Frampton.
A Lee throw caused panic in the Wycombe
defence early in the second half but Wycombe remained a threat.
Kuffour showed good feet to split the defence and draw a good save
from Nelson and the resulting corner was hacked off the line by
Burton after a header from David Winfield.
Nelson again came to Gills’ rescue just
past the hour mark as a free-kick found Kuffour in the clear, but
his shot from a yard out was saved by the keeper with his
chest.
Visiting substitute McClure also had a
great chance, after Joel Grant disposed Joe Martin, but from the
cross he hit a shot at Matt Fish. The same player put a great
chance wide when put in the clear by Lewis but just seconds later
the visitors broke again and this time he finished, as he shrugged
off the defence.
With a minute left Adam Barrett had a
header cleared off the line and the game ended on a low as stewards
took the pitch invader away.
Gillingham: Nelson, Fish,
Martin, Legge, Barrett, Gregory, Frampton (Robinson 46mins), Lee,
Weston (Whelpdale 63mins), Burton (Kedwell 67mins), McDonald. Subs:
Forecast, Allen, Davies, Birchall.
Wycombe: Archer, Harriman,
Dunne, Winfield (c), Stewart, Grant, Lewis, Scowen, Wood, Morgan,
Kuffour (McClure 76mins). Subs not used: Harrison, Hause, McCoy,
Spring, Andrade, Ainsworth.
Attendance: 4,758
04/02/13
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