Simeon Jackson celebrates scoring the winner at Wembley for Gillingham
Picture: Matthew Walker

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham 1 Shrewsbury 0

Simeon Jackson’s last-minute goal sent Gillingham back into League 1 on Saturday.

The Gills striker rose highest to head home Josh Wright’s corner in the play-off final at Wembley.

Gillingham had dominated the first half but were put under pressure in the second as Shrewsbury hit back.

The Gills had the only shots on target in the first 45 minutes and only two great saves from Shrewsbury keeper Luke Daniels denied them the lead.

Gillingham settled into the match quicker and they had the first effort on target, when John Nutter connected on to Wright’s corner, but keeper Daniels did well to block the powerful shot and turn it over the bar.

Prior to that the Shrews twice came close to putting the ball into their own net. Graham Coughlan put Nutter’s corner narrowly wide and Darren Moss chested Barry Fuller’s just wide of the opposite post.

Early chances had been scarce as both sides took time to familiarise themselves with the surroundings in the Wembley stadium.

As half-time approached, Jackson struck well wide and Daniels was there to thwart the Gills again in stoppage time, tipping Wright’s low shot around the post.

Shrewsbury started the second half more positively and Nick Chadwick came close to scoring in the opening minute.

The Gills came agonisingly close again moments later, and it was Daniels who was there again to deny Mark Stimson’s side a goal, with a one-handed block.

Shrewsbury had to wait until the 53rd minute to have a shot on target but keeper Simon Royce showed safe hands to keep them out.

Kevin McIntyre headed wide midway through the second half and Davies shot over as Shrewsbury began to have their share of chances.

With Shrewsbury pressure mounting Andy Barcham had to make a vital defensive tackle to deny Davies after he got in behind the Gills defence.

Gillingham were hanging on at times but a last minute corner gave them the chance they needed when Jackson headed into the top corner to send one half of Wembley into raptures.

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, Richards, King, Weston, Wright, Lewis, Barcham, Jackson, Oli. Subs: Bentley, Miller, Julian, McCammon, Jarrett.

Shrewsbury: Daniels, Moss, Ashton (Ashikodi 90mins), Coughlan, Langmead, Davies, Murray (Worrall 74mins), Holt, Humphrey, Chadwick (Riza 79mins), McIntyre. Subs: Garner, Cansdell-Sherriff.

Attendance: 53,706.

Don't miss the 16-page Wembley souvenir special supplement in Monday's Medway Messenger