Darlington 1-2 Gillingham

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Posted at 10:28 PM GMT, Saturday, 23rd August 2008

Missed chances and an appalling refereeing decision helped visitors Gillingham pick up their first win of the season. Quakers dragged themselves level from the penalty spot after Simeon Jackson's first half goal and appeared to be heading for a point until Garry Richard's last gasp scramble on the line earned Gillingham all three points.

Darlington had enough chances in this game to guarantee themselves a draw but once again lacked firepower in the final third of the pitch. However it was the performance of referee Craig Pawson which sealed the home side's fate. The official made a continuous string of poor decisions and in injury time he awarded the visitors a corner which should have clearly been a goal kick.

In truth this was not Darlington's best performance of the season. Darlington missed chances and lacked a real threat in the final third. What they did create however should still have been enough to earn them a share of the spoils.

Quakers named a largely unchanged side from the one which drew at Notts County a week earlier. Defender Alan White, who was substituted in the encounter at Meadow Lane thanks to illness, was replaced by Ian Miller. Meanwhile Liechtenstein international Franz Burgmeier returned in time from Albania to take a place on the bench having signed during midweek.

The game started brightly with the home side winning two corners early on. Midfielder Jason Kennedy tried his luck from just outside of the area but was unable to find any accuracy. After fifteen minutes, with some of the early swagger gone from the game, Ricky Ravenhill was incorrectly booked by referee Pawson. It was to the be first of many poor decisions made by the match official. Whilst Pawson, in his first season as a Football League referee, made some strange decisions his assistants failed to help maters.

Kennedy appeared to be onside as he latched onto the end of a through ball. The dynamic midfielder appeared to find space in the centre of the Gillingham defence and headed for goal only for the official to signal that he was offside. Darlington's best chance of the first half came after twenty minutes when Rob Purdie burst in the penalty area and fired narrowly wide of the far post. Seconds later however Quakers found themselves behind. The goalkick was launched up field by Simon Royce where Jackson picked up possession, held off a challenge and fired low past Simon Brown.

Gillingham defended their lead with some strong and debatable challenges - two of which could easily have led to penalty kicks. First Ravenhill was sent to the floor by Andrew Cofts and then Kennedy appeared to be blocked. The worst decision came when McCammon shoved skipper Steve Foster in full view of the referee. The former Doncaster striker was given a lengthy lecture but not booked.

Quakers started the second half with some vigour and by the time the end of the match came probably did enough to get a share of the spoils. Billy Clarke was at the centre of two early chances for the home side. He attempted a chip after spotting Royce off his line before forcing the keeper into an excellent save from fifteen yards out with a shot that seemed destined for the back of the net. Darlington remained on the offensive and forced several corners but despite being the better side could still not find a way through.

With ten minutes of the second half elapsed Adam Griffin made way for Burgmeier and his impact was felt almost instantly. The winger's cross was charged down and in doing so a hand appeared to be used. Another penalty appeal followed before finally the referee pointed to the spot on seventy-eight minutes. Burgmeier was again involved, this time he was tripped by John Nutter. The foul gave Darlington their second penalty in as many home games and Purdie made no mistake by levelling the scores.

By now Gillingham were hanging on but Quakers were unable to make the most of their rocking opponents. Chances remained frustratingly limited for Dave Penney's side. Darlington appeared to be heading for a point until in the final two minutes the visitors forced a series of final raids. Brown managed to turn Jackson's powerful shot round the post from inside the area but in injury time the visitors regained the lead. Despite a Gillingham player's best efforts the ball rolled behind for what should have been a goal kick. Instead however the referee wrongly awarded a corner kick which the Gills scrambled home their winner to the frustration of Darlington's fans and players alike.

Darlington: Brown, Austin, Foster, Miller, Kennedy, Proudlock (Main 73), Purdie, Ravenhill (Hulbert 73), Poole, Griffin (Burgmeier 54), Clarke. Subs Not Used: Kazimierczak, Blundell.

Gillingham: Royce, Nutter, King, Richards, Crofts, Berry (Southall 58), Fuller, Weston (Bentley 79), Oli, Jackson (Mulligan 89), McCammon. Subs Not Used: Julian, Miller.

Darlington bookings: Ravenhill.

Gillingham bookings: McCammon, Southhall, Fuller.

Goals: Jackson 21st min (0-1), Purdie 78th min (pen)(1-1), Richards 90th min (1-2).

Att: 2,831.