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Gillingham 0 Portsmouth 1: Jack Tucker credited with own goal as Gills are beaten at Priestfield

Gillingham lost to Portsmouth after conceding a stoppage-time goal at Priestfield.

Patched-up Gillingham had few decisions go their way and picked up yet another injury but looked to be claiming a point before substitute Michael Jacobs struck, his shot going in off the unfortunate Jack Tucker.

Gillingham lost to Portsmouth after conceding in the 93rd minute. Danny Lloyd had several chances to score in the match Picture: Andy Jones
Gillingham lost to Portsmouth after conceding in the 93rd minute. Danny Lloyd had several chances to score in the match Picture: Andy Jones

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Gillingham continued to miss key men and although Danny Lloyd was back in the side on Saturday Dan Phillips dropped out through injury. Stuart O’Keefe returned after a one-match ban.

Portsmouth included former Gills defender Connor Ogilvie in their team.

The visitors had an early chance gifted to them when Robbie McKenzie’s header backwards landed at the feet of George Hirst but he was denied by Jamie Cumming, tipping the lobbed shot onto the crossbar.

Hirst was in on goal again soon after, chasing onto a ball through the defence and when he cut inside, Cumming was there again to make a save and the Gills keeper also got a hand to Mahlon Romeo’s follow-up.

Gillingham worked their way into the game, mixing it up and playing some decent stuff in spells, with Mustapha Carayol dangerous coming in off the flank and Olly Lee playing a key role.

Match action between Gillingham and Portsmouth Picture: Andy Jones
Match action between Gillingham and Portsmouth Picture: Andy Jones

Chances were hard to come by, however, with Ogilvie allowed to shove Akinde off the ball several times without punishment. Gillingham weren’t getting many decisions in their favour but Akinde finally got away from Ogilvie and in on goal with 35 minutes gone.

The Gills striker was through and still had work to do, as three defenders snapped at his heels, but with just the keeper to beat he took his shot early and it lacked power, allowing keeper Gavin Bazunu to make the save.

It had been a well-contested opening half and the Gills went in at the break well in the game.

Cumming was forced into another top save early in the second half when Harness created himself space after a forceful run but he couldn’t beat the Gills keeper.

Stuart O’Keefe made the visiting goalie work with a low shot and with an hour gone Gills had a big appeal for a penalty turned down. Akinde ran onto a ball and got a touch before he was clattered over by Bazunu. Referee Dean Whitehouse said no penalty to the bemusement of many.

Moments before that Norwich loan man Dan Adshead limped off with what looked like a knee injury.

Lloyd blasted a good opportunity over for the Gills after being fed by Akinde and went wide again with another chance soon after.

The visitors were angered by a late decision from the referee after Max Ehmer went down injured, stopping play while Pompey were in attack. Portsmouth had the ball in the net but long after the whistle went.

In stoppage-time Portsmouth won it, Jacobs ran onto a throw and smashed in a low shot that wasn't on target but deflected off Jack Tucker and into the net.

John Akinde went close on a couple of occasions Picture: Andy Jones
John Akinde went close on a couple of occasions Picture: Andy Jones

Gillingham: Cumming, Jackson, McKenzie, Ehmer, Tucker, Adshead (Akehurst 59mins), O’Keefe, Lee, Lloyd, Carayol (Sithole 83mins), Akinde. Subs not used: Chapman, Lintott, Gale, Gbode.

Portsmouth: Bazunu, Romeo, Freeman, Ogilvie, Williams, Morrell, Thompson (Azeez 64mins), Hackett-Fairchild (Jacobs 80mins), Harness, Curtis, Hirst (Harrison 71mins). Subs not used: Bass, Jewitt-White, Vincent, Ahadme.

Referee: Dean Whitestone

Attendance: 5,637 (1,435 away)

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