Gillingham 2-2 Doncaster Rovers

Last updated on 27 April 2024.From the section League Two49

Doncaster secured their place in the League Two play-offs with a 2-2 draw despite letting slip a two-goal lead against Gillingham at Priestfield.

Joe Ironside had put the visitors ahead on the half-hour mark when he diverted Owen Bailey's cross from close range before Luke Molyneux's stunning left-footed strike shortly afterwards put Grant McCann's side in a commanding position going into the break.

However, the game turned on its head following the sending off of goalkeeper Thimothee Lo-Tutala and the Gills netted twice in quick succession to make it a level game.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men in the 55th minute when Lo-Tutala was dismissed for handling outside his area, and Rovers' advantage was immediately halved when Timothee Dieng's powerful strike found its way past substitute keeper Louis Jones.

Josh Andrews' tap-in went in off Doncaster defender Tom Anderson just a few minutes later to level proceedings.

Doncaster resisted severe pressure in the closing stages, but held on to secure the required point to confirm their place in the play-offs as Gillingham finished the season in 12th place.

Match report supplied by PA Media.

Line-ups
Match Stats
Live Text

Line-ups

Gillingham

Formation 4-2-3-1

25Turner
24Hutton
5EhmerBooked at 71mins
4Masterson
22Ogie
18ColemanSubstituted forWalkerat 68'minutes
38Dieng
23Mahoney
11Jefferies
8WilliamsSubstituted forGbodeat 86'minutes
9AndrewsBooked at 13mins

Substitutes

1Morris
3Clark
7Lapslie
14McKenzie
17Clarke
29Gbode
47Walker

Doncaster

Formation 4-2-3-1

15Lo-TutalaBooked at 55mins
2Sterry
4Anderson
6Wood
3Maxwell
17Bailey
37CraigBooked at 77minsSubstituted forWestbrookeat 82'minutes
7MolyneuxSubstituted forBroadbentat 82'minutes
10RoweSubstituted forJonesat 56'minutes
47AdelakunSubstituted forOlowuat 64'minutes
20Ironside

Substitutes

5Olowu
8Broadbent
12Jones
16Nixon
21Hurst
24Westbrooke
40Waters

Referee:: Alex Chilowicz
Attendance:: 8,723

Match Stats

Home TeamGillinghamAway TeamDoncaster

Possession: Home61%; Away39%

Shots: Home17; Away13

Shots on Target: Home7; Away4

Corners: Home7; Away5

Fouls: Home11; Away12

Live Text

Post update
Match ends, Gillingham 2, Doncaster Rovers 2.
90'+6'
Full Time
Second Half ends, Gillingham 2, Doncaster Rovers 2.

90'+4'
Post update
Foul by Connor Mahoney (Gillingham).
90'+4'
Post update
James Maxwell (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
90'+4'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Joseph Gbode (Gillingham) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Connor Mahoney with a cross.
90'+3'
Post update
Corner, Gillingham. Conceded by James Maxwell.
90'+2'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Josh Andrews (Gillingham) header from the left side of the six yard box is blocked.
90'+2'
Post update
Attempt saved. Conor Masterson (Gillingham) header from the right side of the six yard box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Remeao Hutton with a cross.
90'+2'
Post update
Corner, Gillingham. Conceded by Joe Ironside.
90'+1'
Post update
Corner, Gillingham. Conceded by James Maxwell.
86'
Substitution
Substitution, Gillingham. Joseph Gbode replaces Jonny Williams.
86'
Post update
Shadrach Ogie (Gillingham) wins a free kick on the left wing.
86'
Post update
Foul by Owen Bailey (Doncaster Rovers).
85'
Post update
Foul by Remeao Hutton (Gillingham).
85'
Post update
James Maxwell (Doncaster Rovers) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. George Broadbent replaces Luke Molyneux.
82'
Substitution
Substitution, Doncaster Rovers. Zain Westbrooke replaces Matthew Craig.
79'
Post update
Attempt blocked. Dom Jefferies (Gillingham) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Timothee Dieng.
79'
Post update
Attempt missed. Conor Masterson (Gillingham) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
78'
Post update
Dom Jefferies (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.

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49 comments

Comment posted by Ads, at 18:51 27 Apr
Mansfield fan wishing Donny all the best.
Spoke to one of your fans in the Pub after we played you at Christmas and he was convinced you would go down.
Amazing turnaround in fortune for you. Good luck. 💛💙
Comment posted by James Lane, at 18:31 27 Apr
Well done to Doncaster and good luck in the playoffs !! We nearly beat you which is the story of our season GFC the nearly team
Comment posted by Yorkie, at 18:24 27 Apr
Squeaky bum time at the end but great that the lads dug deep to hang in for the draw and secure the playoffs. What a turn around since Feb
Comment posted by mojo, at 20:38 27 Apr
Pompey fan here... wishing good luck to Donny for the play off's... Grant McCann is "class"...!!
Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:06 28 Apr
Paul Gillinson replied:
Thanks Pompey fan. He is brilliant. So calm.
He never one mentioned the play offs to anyone during this amazing run of results.
Comment posted by russ, at 18:34 27 Apr
Nice one boys. Made us sweat a bit second half, but there’s tons of grit in that squad.
Comment posted by john, at 21:12 27 Apr
Well done doncaster you will win the playoff mkdons nothing to worry about from the mansfield.
Comment posted by Animo Et Fide , at 18:29 27 Apr
Stockport fan wishing Donny all the best in the playoffs, tipped you for promotion at the start of the season then couldn't believe how bad the 1st half of the season was for you. On a terrific roll now though, the team to fear. Want a proper club to come up with us, Not franchise, Not creepy Crawley, & certainly not that filthy lot from Gresty rd.
Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:28 28 Apr
Paul Gillinson replied:
Think that’s a thank you from a DRFC fan but oh dear you really don’t like Crewe do you.
Comment posted by Johnny Englander, at 19:42 27 Apr
Well I am blown away. Hopefully TLT gets only a one game ban....he has been absolutely key to our last 4 months.

A fantastic result. Like McCann, I felt a penalty could have been awarded for the Maxwell incident, but hey, the ref was letting a lot go for both sides...he was consistent.

Two very good goals.

Fifth in the table - remarkable.

Bring it on....!!!

A couple in Chatham...!

RTID.
Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:19 28 Apr
Paul Gillinson replied:
J E he got 3 big decisions wrong. All went in favour of the Gills. Sorry he wasn’t consistent.
The sending off was harsh because if you look at the replay there are 3 defenders behind our keeper and the 1 Gills attacker. The rule book says yellow card if it’s not a clear and obvious scoring opportunity which it wasn’t.

We would have won by 3 goals if not for those mistakes by the ref.
Comment posted by Kids TV, at 21:56 27 Apr
No mention of Max Ehmer's 400th appearance for the Gills? A club legend and a brilliant season (my player of the season).
Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 18:36 27 Apr
Well done rovers all the best lads brought excitement to end of the season keep it going finish it off on a high rooting for you
Comment posted by ian, at 20:52 27 Apr
Wrexham fan - congrats Donny - what an amazing run the past ten or so games. Good luck in the playoff lottery - MKD are the ones to beat for you! maybe see you next season
Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:04 28 Apr
Paul Gillinson replied:
Last 18 games
Won 13 drew 4 lost 1
That’s top of the league over the last 18
GM asked the players to do that before the start of that sequence of games started.
What an inspirational speech he must have given that day.
We were 22nd yes 22nd in the table.
Quite quite remarkable

We had 14 players injured at one stage in Nov/Dec
A settled side all season and top 3 would have been possible.
Comment posted by Staufenberg, at 19:21 27 Apr
If this turnaround had been by a London club it'd be on the front pages - proud to be a rovers fan! Rtid
Comment posted by St Rood, at 20:09 27 Apr
A game of two halves. Gills were dire first half and Doncaster scored two well taken goals. Second half Lo Tutala came for a ball which he didn't need to and red card. Gills on top from then and Gbode could have won it. Gills need a goal scorer anc should be in mix next year Good luck to Doncaster in the playoffs.
Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:14 28 Apr
Paul Gillinson replied:
What about the clear penalty we were not given for a trip on Maxwell no 3 left back. Just about to shoot and takes his back leg.
Blatant as you will ever see. Right in front of us and I have watched it a dozen times and each one is the same. Penalty.
Had this American ref before and he is poor as most unfortunately are in League 2
Comment posted by Morris Minor, at 19:37 27 Apr
Well done Doncaster, no mean feat to go on the run you are on, good luck in the playoffs
Comment posted by No Nonsense GR, at 19:59 27 Apr
Well, mid table finish - could be worse, but could be a lot better.

I must say we do play a lot better when the opposition only has 10 men :)

See you all next season.
Comment posted by Dave, at 21:01 27 Apr
As it turns out, so great was the run leading to this game that they could have lost and still qualified for a play off place. Well done Donny Rovers.
Comment posted by Boxinghagler1980, at 18:59 27 Apr
Rovers ought to win the play offs
Reply posted by manxman25, at 19:43 27 Apr
manxman25 replied:
What about the Elephant in the room - navigate 3 play off games without no 1 keeper!
Comment posted by ChrisInTheNorth, at 23:50 27 Apr
Id be interested to know if Donny fans were calling for McCann to be sacked back when they were 20th... It's been an impressive run since then. The keeper had a moment of madness that could cost him his place in the Playoffs.
We Gills fans need to be patient, hope for some signings and get off Clem's back. Not every successful manager does it in his first 6 months.
Reply posted by Lizzy29, at 08:28 28 Apr
Lizzy29 replied:
The vast majority of rovers fans have been fully behind McCann even when we were near the bottom of the table. The way he has turned this side around is remarkable.... I just hope he repays the faith when the big boys come knocking.
Comment posted by Alandoncaster, at 18:30 27 Apr
MLS ref Alex Chiliwicz gets a game because our own refs are that crap. He was no better.
Reply posted by Mike H, at 19:23 27 Apr
Mike H replied:
Gills fan in peace, He was bad for both sides. Gills should have had pen first half. The ball was in the play from the corner when our player was dragged down and he then decided that the corner should be retaken. Donny also had a good shout for a pen in the second half. Game turned on red card. You were comfortable until then but Gills would have won but for goal line clearance in added time.
Comment posted by 2leftfeet, at 21:48 27 Apr
Jeez,how many home draws in the last 10 home games? 2nd lowest scorers in the league after Forest Green,3rd were Grimsby who scored 11 more than us.
Well done Donny , magnificent run. Come on Bromley, very local derby needed.

	Team	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Stockport	46	27	11	8	96	48	48	92
2	Wrexham	46	26	10	10	89	52	37	88
3	Mansfield	46	24	14	8	90	47	43	86

4	MK Dons	46	23	9	14	83	68	15	78
5	Doncaster	46	21	8	17	73	68	5	71
6	Crewe	46	19	14	13	69	65	4	71
7	Crawley	46	21	7	18	73	67	6	70

8	Barrow	46	18	15	13	62	56	6	69
9	Bradford	46	19	12	15	61	59	2	69
10	Wimbledon	46	17	14	15	64	51	13	65
11	Walsall	46	18	11	17	69	73	-4	65
12	Gillingham	46	18	10	18	46	57	-11	64
13	Harrogate	46	17	12	17	60	69	-9	63
14	Notts County	46	18	7	21	89	86	3	61
15	Morecambe	46	17	10	19	67	81	-14	58
16	Tranmere	46	17	6	23	67	70	-3	57
17	Accrington	46	16	9	21	63	71	-8	57
18	Newport	46	16	7	23	62	76	-14	55
19	Swindon	46	14	12	20	77	83	-6	54
20	Salford	46	13	12	21	66	82	-16	51
21	Grimsby	46	11	16	19	57	74	-17	49
22	Colchester	46	11	12	23	59	80	-21	45

23	Sutton United	46	9	15	22	59	84	-25	42
24	Forest Green	46	11	9	26	44	78	-34	42

Line-ups

Gillingham

Substitutes

Doncaster

Substitutes

Match Stats

Live Text

Comments

Join the conversation

Comment posted by Ads, at 18:51 27 AprAds

Comment posted by James Lane, at 18:31 27 AprJames Lane

Comment posted by Yorkie, at 18:24 27 AprYorkie

Comment posted by mojo, at 20:38 27 Aprmojo

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:06 28 AprPaul Gillinson

Comment posted by russ, at 18:34 27 Aprruss

Comment posted by john, at 21:12 27 Aprjohn

Comment posted by Animo Et Fide , at 18:29 27 AprAnimo Et Fide

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:28 28 AprPaul Gillinson

Comment posted by Johnny Englander, at 19:42 27 AprJohnny Englander

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:19 28 AprPaul Gillinson

Comment posted by Kids TV, at 21:56 27 AprKids TV

Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 18:36 27 AprThis name is awaiting moderation

Comment posted by ian, at 20:52 27 Aprian

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:04 28 AprPaul Gillinson

Comment posted by Staufenberg, at 19:21 27 AprStaufenberg

Comment posted by St Rood, at 20:09 27 AprSt Rood

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:14 28 AprPaul Gillinson

Comment posted by Morris Minor, at 19:37 27 AprMorris Minor

Comment posted by No Nonsense GR, at 19:59 27 AprNo Nonsense GR

Comment posted by Dave, at 21:01 27 AprDave

Comment posted by Boxinghagler1980, at 18:59 27 AprBoxinghagler1980

Reply posted by manxman25, at 19:43 27 Aprmanxman25

Comment posted by ChrisInTheNorth, at 23:50 27 AprChrisInTheNorth

Reply posted by Lizzy29, at 08:28 28 AprLizzy29

Comment posted by Alandoncaster, at 18:30 27 AprAlandoncaster

Reply posted by Mike H, at 19:23 27 AprMike H

Comment posted by 2leftfeet, at 21:48 27 Apr2leftfeet

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Comment posted by Ads, at 18:51 27 Apr

Comment posted by James Lane, at 18:31 27 Apr

Comment posted by Yorkie, at 18:24 27 Apr

Comment posted by mojo, at 20:38 27 Apr

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:06 28 Apr

Comment posted by russ, at 18:34 27 Apr

Comment posted by john, at 21:12 27 Apr

Comment posted by Animo Et Fide , at 18:29 27 Apr

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:28 28 Apr

Comment posted by Johnny Englander, at 19:42 27 Apr

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:19 28 Apr

Comment posted by Kids TV, at 21:56 27 Apr

Comment posted by This name is awaiting moderation, at 18:36 27 Apr

Comment posted by ian, at 20:52 27 Apr

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:04 28 Apr

Comment posted by Staufenberg, at 19:21 27 Apr

Comment posted by St Rood, at 20:09 27 Apr

Reply posted by Paul Gillinson, at 14:14 28 Apr

Comment posted by Morris Minor, at 19:37 27 Apr

Comment posted by No Nonsense GR, at 19:59 27 Apr

Comment posted by Dave, at 21:01 27 Apr

Comment posted by Boxinghagler1980, at 18:59 27 Apr

Reply posted by manxman25, at 19:43 27 Apr

Comment posted by ChrisInTheNorth, at 23:50 27 Apr

Reply posted by Lizzy29, at 08:28 28 Apr

Comment posted by Alandoncaster, at 18:30 27 Apr

Reply posted by Mike H, at 19:23 27 Apr

Comment posted by 2leftfeet, at 21:48 27 Apr