Rovers claim point at Gillingham

Callum Jones’ first Forest Green Rovers goal earned his side a hard-fought point as they drew 1-1 with Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium. 

Dan Connor made three changes to the side that was defeated last Saturday, which included a debut for Emmanuel Osadebe. 

It was a quiet first 45 minutes that saw very little action, but the best chance fell to Rovers on 21 minutes when Jones took aim from distance, but his effort was straight at the goalkeeper. 

Some great defending shortly after by Jordan Moore-Taylor made sure the half ended goalless when he tracked Macauley Bonne’s run before blocking his low driven effort. 

A completely different second period awaited Rovers who again could have been ahead through Jones on 50 minutes, but his set-piece effort was well dealt with by Jake Turner.  

The hosts thought they had the lead on the hour mark when Bonne had the ball in the net but turned to see the assistant referee with his flag up. 

But seven minutes later they were ahead when Oli Hawkins towering header flew into the top right corner. 

However, that lead lasted just eight minutes as Jones finally got the better of Turner with a composed curling effort which found the top corner from 18 yards. 

Rovers found their second wind following the equaliser and could have been ahead not long after with a barrage of chances. 

First, Fankaty Dabo, with his first touches of the game, had a shot smothered, then Kyle McAllister saw an effort cleared off the line before Matty Stevens curled an attempt just wide. 

To round off a positive afternoon for Rovers, with under 10 minutes left of play, Connor handed impressive 19-year-old Maxi Oyedele his FGR debut. 

Rovers will look to build on this hard thought point as they return to The New Lawn next Saturday to take on Accrington Stanley in League Two.