On-loan Lee Bullock snatched a dramatic late winner for Cardiff to leave
Gillingham in deep relegation trouble and the Bluebirds still in with a shout of
the play-offs.
Bullock headed home in the 86th minute to put the Welshman ahead for the
second time, but Alan Pouton spurned a golden opportunity to level for the
struggling Gills as he missed from the penalty spot.
Wales international Robert Earnshaw, who was on target for his country in
midweek, had opened the scoring for Cardiff with a close-range header - his
fifth goal against Gillingham this season and his 27th of the campaign.
Earnshaw had earlier been denied from the spot by goalkeeper Steve Banks, who
expertly pushed away his spot-kick.
Chris Hope's third goal of the season on the hour had seemingly earned the
home side a vital point, before Bullock's late intervention.
After a quiet opening, the game burst into life in the 15th minute as a
25-yard drive from Gills' player/manager Andy Hessenthaler was well-held by
Martyn Margetson.
From his clearance, the ball fell to Paul Parry, who sent a volley inches past
the post.
Cardiff missed the chance to take the lead shortly afterwards when Leon
Johnson brought down Alan Lee in the area.
Earnshaw struck his spot-kick well, but keeper Banks guessed correctly and
palmed the ball to safety.
The Gills, buoyed by Banks' save, hit back with some pressure of their own as
Mamady Sidibe flashed a header inches wide from a Nicky Southall corner and
Wales side-footed wide when well-placed.
But the Bluebirds did make the breakthrough their play had deserved in the
36th minute.
Parry took the ball around Banks and tried a shot, but Earnshaw stole in to
nod into an empty net from six yards.
Cardiff were dealt a blow at the start of the second half, with defender Danny
Gabbidon limping out of the action to be replaced by Chris Barker.
Gillingham had made a bright start, with Wales and Sidibe coming close in
quick succession, and they were rewarded just before the hour as Hope rose
highest to head home a Southall corner.
Cardiff responded, though, with Richard Langley forcing a fine save from Banks
from 25 yards.
Bullock, on loan from Third Division York, came on with 10 minutes remaining
and it took him just six minutes to make an impact.
He connected with a hopeful shot from Langley to head the ball past a stranded
Banks.
From the kick-off, Wales tangled with Barker in the box, and referee Mike
Thorpe once again awarded a spot-kick.
Pouton failed to deal with the pressure, however, and sent his kick past the
post.
Teams
Gillingham Banks, Southall, Hope, Leon Johnson, Rose,
Hessenthaler, Pouton, Spiller, Wales, Agyemang, Sidibe.
Subs Not Used: Cox, Bossu, Crofts, Jarvis, Beckwith.
Booked: Pouton, Southall, Hessenthaler.
Goals: Hope 59.
Cardiff Margetson, Vidmar, Gabbidon (Barker 49), Collins,
Croft, Robinson (Bullock 80), Whalley, Langley,
Parry (Campbell 71), Earnshaw, Lee.
Subs Not Used: Gordon, Alexander.
Booked: Vidmar.
Goals: Earnshaw 36, Bullock 86.
Att: 7,852
Ref: M Thorpe (Suffolk).
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