A controversial officiating decision denied Gillingham a comeback League 2 victory at home against Tranmere on Saturday.
Midfielder Tim Dieng thought he had won it at the death but saw his effort ruled out for handball, as the away side attempted to clear their lines.
The play-off chasing Gills did get a point, with Conor Masterson cancelling out Regan Hendry’s early opener as it finished 1-1 after a real match of two halves. It means Gillingham remain unbeaten at home in the league since Boxing Day and they are now seventh.
The game got off to a quick start in front of a crowd of 6,077 at Priestfield.
After Remeao Hutton’s free kick was headed across goal, Rovers captain and top scorer Connor Jennings attempted to score from a low left-wing cross straight at Gills goalkeeper Glenn Morris. Striker Ashley Nadesan then nearly missed the target for the home team.
However, the visiting team broke the tie in the fifth minute when Lee O’Connor’s right-wing delivery was only partially cleared to Hendry. The midfield player scored off Morris’ left-hand post to ignite wild celebrations among the 207 spectators who had travelled a great distance from Birkenhead
On minute 19, Harvey Saunders had a fantastic opportunity to double Tranmere’s advantage, but good keeping by the much-experienced Morris kept him at bay as he raced out to deny Saunders. Rob Apter, a Blackpool loanee, quickly attacked over
Oli Hawkins was next to go close for Stephen Clemence’s side, testing McGee with a 35th-minute header from a Jonny Williams cross.
Just before the interval, Clark curled a free-kick against the crossbar after home skipper Max Ehmer had blatantly been shoved to ground, the half-time whistle being greeted with boos by Gills fans.
The hosts made a double half-time substitution, which saw Nadesan and Shadrach Ogie replaced by midfield duo George Lapslie and Connor Mahoney.
Those changes almost swiftly paid dividends after forward Luke Norris fired wide against his old club, as Hawkins glanced Clark’s cross over.
Then, Apter had a great opportunity to increase the lead for the visiting team at the far post, but his wildly inaccurate effort went wide.
Gillingham then exerted constant pressure in an attempt to equalise, and in the 63rd minute, Masterson fired a powerful long-range attempt that narrowly missed.
Two minutes later, Jordan Turnbull found space at the other end from a high free-kick, but his shot went straight at Morris.
On 73 minutes, Norris was substituted for midfielder Paul Lewis in the Rovers’ first alteration, while Clemence added Josh Walker and Scott Malone for the final 15 minutes.
Mahoney, who had been playing well since coming on, created a lot of issues with an in-swinging cross. However, in the midst of a goalmouth bustle, Rovers escaped many penalty appeals before Jonny Williams fired wide.
However, Gillingham eventually equalised with seven minutes remaining. For his sixth goal of the year, Masterson emphatically headed a Mahoney corner past a defenceless McGee.
Goalie McGee received a book for time-wasting in the final minute of regular time as five minutes of injury time were added because the opposition was eager to run out the clock.
In the ninetieth minute, Hawkins had a chance to win it, but his header from Mahoney’s in-swinging pass went just wide.
Shortly after, Hendry of Tranmere came dangerously close to scoring a second goal as his shot from the edge of the box struck the post.
With that last move, the Gills believed they had won.
A cross from the left was bundled home by Dieng after an attempted clearance by the away defence, only for Gills’ late second to be dramatically disallowed, much to the home contingent’s dismay as Gillingham players and staff surrounded referee James Linington at the full-time whistle.
Surprisingly, Gillingham named an unchanged starting line-up from Tuesday’s 2-0 loss at Barrow.
Norris, who was with the Medway club from 2014 until 2016, started for the away team.
Gills head coach Clemence had been ill but was well enough to take his place in the dug-out.
Gillingham: Morris, Clark (Walker 77mins), Masterson, Ehmer, J.Williams, Nadesan (Mahoney 46mins), Hawkins, Coleman (Malone 77mins), Ogie (Lapslie 46mins), Hutton, Dieng. Subs not used: Turner, S.Williams, McKenzie.
Tranmere Rovers: McGee, O’Connor, Turnbull, Hendry, Norris (Lewis 73mins), Merrie, Jennings, Saunders (Dennis 80mins), Yarney, Apter (Taylor 80mins), Wood. Subs not used: Murphy, Mcalear, Pike, Belehouan.
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