By Jack Nolan
September 2 2006

Gillingham lost by two goals to nothing on Friday night after two goals in the last five minutes of half-time. The Gills started very brightly and could have easily scored from kick-off - but poor finishing and a poor refferee cost the Gills three points. The Gills bossed the first half hour and the Iron couldn't get the ball off the Gills. But some stunning saves by Scunthorpe 'keeper Murphy denied the Gills. Clint Easton had a fantastic chance to give the Gills the lead a few minutes in, but his shot was straight at 'keeper Murphy. The a brilliant pass by Alan Pouton put Mickey Flynn through one on one, but unfotunatly his shot almost hit the corner flag....

It wasn't until the ten minute mark that Scunthorpe looked like threatening the Gills. Ian Baraclough shot high up into the Rainham End from 30 yards out. But then it was back to the Iron side of the field when a well taken corner by Matt Jarvis found Mickey Flynn who's header was once again stopped by the impressive Murphy.

Gillingham managed to hold on to Matt Jarvis during the summer transfer window and he was involved in another Gills attack when he beat his man, ran into the Iron box and his goal bound effort was once again stopped by Murphy.

But Gillingham's good work was broken after a Dave Mulligan corner found the unmarker Richard Hinds who's header beat Darren Randolph in the Gills goal. Scunthorpe then saw themselves two up minutes later when Cleveland Taylor found Matt Sparrow who turned Jupp and beat Darren Randolph to give Scunthorpe an underserved lead.

The half-time whistle went with the Gills shocked going in half-time. The Gills had dominated the majority of the first half, but switched off and cost the Gills two goals.

The Gills came out at half time looking to get back into the game. But the Gills came very close to pulling one back when the well directed Clint Easton corner found the head of Ian Cox who's header beat Scunthorpe 'keeper Murphy, only to be cleared off of the line.

Ian Cox then had another brilliant chance to get the Gills back into the game just over the hour mark when under pressure from Scunthorpe defence saw his header from Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu go over the bar. The Gills had another chance when Jupp picked out Clint Easton who's effort went way into the higher rows of the Rainham End.

Darren Randolph had a inspirational game against Blackpool and continued his heroics in the second half when he denied Ian Morris who was one on one with the on loan 'keeper, then pulled off a stunning save to deny Steve Torpey with a diving one hand save.

Time pretty much ran out though for the Gills when Brent Sancho's header went wide of the Iron goal after more good work by Matt Jarvis.

The Gills didn't deserve to get nothing out of the game, but for heroics by Scunthorpe 'keeper Murphy and missed chances the Gills lie in the relegation zone of League 1.

Gills ratings

Randolph - 8
Jupp - 8
Cox - 7
Sancho- 9
Jackman - 8
Jarvis - 9
Flynn - 7
Easton - 8
Pouton - 9
Guylain - 8
Mulligan - 7

GFC-ONLINE Man of the Match - BRENT SANCHO : Was simply fantastic. He lifted the Gills and the fans. His efforts even when the game seemed lost were inspiring. It was close though as Alan Pouton and Matt Jarvis also performed out of their skins.