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Gillingham 1 Lincoln City 1 match report: Tayo Edun’s opener cancelled out at Priestfield by Danny Lloyd

Gillingham claimed a first-day point against Lincoln City in League 1 on Saturday after recovering from an early blow.

Lincoln took a fourth-minute lead through Tayo Edun but their celebrations inside the home fans’ section led to an inevitable confrontation. Gills levelled just before the break with a scrambled effort from Danny Lloyd.

Danny Lloyd celebrates the Gillingham equaliser Picture: Andy Jones
Danny Lloyd celebrates the Gillingham equaliser Picture: Andy Jones

Gillingham fans were back inside Priestfield to watch a competitive fixture for the first time in 526 days and the match kicked off after a minute’s silence to remember those lost to Covid.

When the game got under way it wasn’t long before there was drama. Edun opened the scoring early on after Anthony Scully’s initial effort had been saved by Jamie Cumming but their decision to step into the home end to celebrate didn’t go down well. There was shoving between fans and players, with Cohen Bramall booked for the Imps and a Gillingham fan reportedly thrown out. Visiting skipper Liam Bridcutt had gone over to help identify a supporter to stewards.

The match certainly had an edge - home boss Steve Evans picked up a booking for dissent - and Gillingham almost levelled when Vadaine Oliver’s header came off the bar and dropped for Max Ehmer, denied only by a super block from keeper Josh Griffiths.

Oliver had another chance from a deep corner, a low shot that Griffiths again got behind.

Chairman Paul Scally speaks to the Priestfield crowd before the match Picture: Andy Jones
Chairman Paul Scally speaks to the Priestfield crowd before the match Picture: Andy Jones

The Lincoln keeper was to make a costly error, however, just before the break. Kyle Dempsey’s free-kick had been blocked, Dan Phillips fired it back into the box and when the keeper spilled the ball, Lloyd was there to force it over. The referee wasn’t initially giving the goal, uncertain over whether there was a foul or if the ball had crossed the line, but the linesman gave the signal that the goal should stand.

The teams went into the break on level terms and Gillingham made a confident start to the second half. Olly Lee went close from distance but Edun wasn’t far away either at the other end, dragging a shot just wide.

Gills left-back David Tutonda was rightly celebrating a fine block after Scully looked odds-on to put Lincoln back infront with 52 minutes gone.

The City keeper had to hang onto a Lloyd shot and then Oliver had a great chance to score for the Gills after racing onto a ball forward but with just the keeper to beat he couldn’t get enough on the lob and Griffiths made the save.

Dan Phillips makes his league debut for the Gills Picture: Andy Jones
Dan Phillips makes his league debut for the Gills Picture: Andy Jones

Mustapha Carayol came off the bench for the Gills in the second half after receiving international clearance in time to play. Within moments of his introduction he fired a shot just wide.

Gillingham kept going until the end, looking for a winner, introducing youngster Gerald Sithole to add extra energy up top but Regan Poole nearly won it for the visitors, arriving at the far post and digging out a shot that Cumming needed to get behind.

Gillingham: Cumming, Bennett, Tutonda, Ehmer, Tucker, Phillips, Dempsey, O'Keefe (Sithole 83mins), Lee (Reeves 69mins), Lloyd (Carayol 69mins), Oliver. Subs not used: Chapman, Lintott, Maghoma, Akehurst.

Lincoln: Griffiths, Poole, Melbourne, Jackson, Edun, Hopper, Scully, Bramall (Adelakun 65mins), McGrandles, Sorenson (Bishop 80mins), Bridcutt. Subs not used: Long, Montsma, Sanders, Jones, Longdon.

Attendance: 4,837 (599 away)

Referee: Thomas Bramall

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