Gillingham are still without an away win this season following a 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury a Town on Tuesday night.
Stuart O’Keefe had put the Gills ahead from the spot after a horror tackle from Ryan Giles on Tom O’Connor, but more defensive errors cost Gillingham when O’Keefe failed to deal with a cross from Sean Goss in the second-half, allowing Omar Beckles to nip in front of Jack Tucker to prod home the equaliser.
Gillingham made three changes to the side that lost against Peterborough on Saturday and were without midfielder Mark Byrne following a fifth yellow card of the season at the weekend. Alex Jakubiak, Regan Charles-Cook and Mark Marshall all came into the side.
It seemed like the perfect away performance from Gillingham for most of the game; they defended well, held firm, and hit Shrewsbury on the break. They failed to take many of their chances, though, and were made to pay for missed opportunities in the second-half.
Regan Charles-Cook proved a huge asset to the XI, adding lightning pace that was clear throughout the evening, and his best mate, Brandon Hanlan, was as threatening as ever up top. One feels, though, the Gills are crying out for a goalscorer.
Shrewsbury, for a side riddled with individual talent, haven’t got going as of yet, this season. They sit 14th in the table, and manager Sam Ricketts will be hoping his side can improve in the coming weeks.
Despite losing Daniel Udoh early on in the game to injury, the likes of Ryan Giles and Shaun Goss did look threatening throughout, which is a big plus for the Shrews gaffer.
Gillingham manager Steve Evans will be ruing his side’s missed chances, but, ultimately, a 1-1 draw is a good away point – a point the Scotsman will be hoping to improve on when his side travel to Accrington on Saturday.
words Lewis Browning, Gillingham fan & writer