GILLINGHAM 3, OLDHAM ATHLETIC 3
Oldham Athletic ended high-flying Gillingham’s 100-per-cent home record in Sky Bet League One as yet another game ended in stalemate.
This was the eighth draw in 11 league games, but without doubt the most pleasing as Latics gave the Gills an almighty fright.
And interim manager David Dunn viewed this as a significant result and possibly a change in their fortunes, though they only remain out of the relegation places on goal difference.
The eight draws represent 16 lost points which equates to more than five losses so Latics quickly need to start turning these into victories as 11 points from 11 league games will, if replicated throughout the season, almost certainly end in demotion.
But if you are a half glass full believer, Latics have lost only two of their league games thus far with Dunn unbeaten in four games, though he has yet to record his first win.
It was a terrific contest at Priestfield where Latics twice fell behind in the first half as Rory Donnelly’s double was cancelled out by strikes from Michael Higdon – some have given his deflected shot as an own goal – and Dominic Poleon inched Latics back into the game.
Higdon scored again to put Latics 3-2 ahead only for the Gills this time to hit back with a leveller from substitute Jake Hessenthaler.
Dunn handed debuts to Burnley loanees Danny Lafferty abd Cameron Dummigan, a new full-back pairing as Timothee Dieng and Connor Brown lost out. There was also a recall for Danny Philliskirk as Lee Croft dropped down to the bench.
Gills took the lead after eight minutes when full-back Brennan Dickenson square the ball for Donnelly to slide in to score the opening goal.
Swansea loanee Donnelly could have doubled the lead not long after, but pulled his shot wide from the edge of the box.
Latics equalised just short of the half hour when loan striker Higdon found the net with the aid of a deflection.
Their joy was short-lived, though, as the Gills regained the lead two minutes later as Donnelly struck again with a back-post header.
Back came Latics to make it 2-2 three minutes later as Higdon turned provider to set up Poleon who chipped the ball over advancing keeper Stuart Nelson.
Poleon and Higdon linked again to put Latics ahead for the first time 10 minutes into the second half as Poleon provided the assist with a cross that was volleyed home by Higdon.
The lead last only two minutes as substitute Hessenthaler made it 3-3 after 57 minutes curling in a delightful effort from 25 yards.
After six goals were netted in less than an hour, it was a surprise that the final 33 minutes did not yield any further ones.
It was not for the want of trying as Bradley Dack for the Gills and Latics’ Lafferty both fired wide.
And right at the death Poleon’s looping header clipped the crossbar as they had to settle for one point following a pulsating contest.