Hopefully this will be the penultimate home match of the season, a win against the Gills will make a return to the Championship ever closer. First though we have to beat Gillingham, one of the few sides in the league who have absolutely nothing to play for which makes them dangerous. Since appointing Justin Edinburgh the Gills have hauled themselves away from the drop zone, a run of wins propelled them towards the play offs but they have fallen away and are now save. Beat them 5-2 last season a repeat of that score will be ideal although a win by one scabby goal would be just as welcome. As with the return fixture the Football League are having a laugh sending a side on a lengthy journey for a night match. Could be a pivotal night, hopefully back to the normal home formation with Robinson back in the side, won't be easy.
Well that didn't go as planned with the Gills grabbing a point with a late goal by Legge who headed home a howitzer of a cross by Pritchard, to be fair the Gills deserved a point as North End fell apart in the second half making 11 changes at half time with all players being replaced by Stevie Wonder impersonators. Truth to say North End should have been out of sight by half time missing countless chances as they played with a tempo that was blowing the Gills away. Strangely though the Gills could have scored in the first few seconds but Johnstone smothered an effort at his near post, within seconds Garner was inches away from scoring at the other end. Chances then came and went for the home side, it wasn't until nine minutes before half time when Beckford blasted home form just inside the box,, Robinson soon made it two with a mazy run and shot. Easy Peasy. To be fair to North End injuries to Laird and Beckford at the start of the second half disrupted them and when McGlashan scooted in to score following a pass by Marquis the writing was on the wall. Every time the Gills left their half the panic in the team and crowd became noticeable and when Legge headed home it was a kind on meercy killing. Still in our own hands though possibly it was a kick up th back side that was possible needed, Finally a word about Mr Coote the referee, ****E. Preston North End 2 Gillingham 2 Att9411
Well that was a bit ofa PNE perspective and it was not an unrealistic commentary on what was a real thriller for Gills. Sure North End romped down the wings in the first half with Bell and McGlashan almost an irrelevance but the three centre halfs were fairly effective at heading away the succession of crosses and most of the shots were comfortable practice for Glen Morris. He did have one outstanding save to make in each half though and he probably warranted man of the match. The second half change around may have been attributed to Preston's changes but Gills seem to be making a habit of raising the game after an hour and this is what happened again. McGlashan finally woke up and poked in a good goal after which Gills dominated and it was overdue when Legge crashed home the equaliser. Nobody could believe it when Pritchard slung over a hopeful cross and galloping into the area came Legge to loop the ball over the Preston goalie. Yes North End had much the better of the first half but Gills dominated the second and deserved their point. Marquis played well, the three centre halfs were clumsily effective, Loft ran miles and it was a real team effort. North End still look full of quality and will be promoted.
Thank you for your input it's good to have an opposing view, to be fair it was the right result although there is an air of despondency after dropping two points
