Right at the Death as Jacko Pushes Gillingham Closer to Promotion Glory

You really could not tell it was that day.

The 2008/09 season is reaching its climax and every game becomes that cup final as three points are a necessity for Gillingham FC.

With a 10-point deduction for going into administration, the Gills' counterparts, Darlington, really had no incentive following this crushing of their promotion dream.  

But there was all to play for the team in blue at the krbs Priestfield stadium, and it was a game the fans knew would be a must-win match.

But only 4,730 turned up to watch this all important cup final, and as I walked down the streets to the ground, I really could not tell that Gillingham were playing that 'cup final' today.

But as I reached Gillingham Road (30 secs from the ground), you could at least tell there was some sort of match going on somewhere close.

As the game started, there was a real sense of juxtaposition as the ideas of a Gillingham match and a cup final just did not go together.

I had just done loads of homework (and three hours of table tennis) before going to the game, so the first half would've been the perfect remedy for my insomnia.

Enough said on that one.

I woke up after interval as the Gills turned up the heat, piling constant pressure on Darlington and their massive travelling contingent of a countless amount of fans. Well, actually...there were 32 fans out of a possible 500...if I was being really anal that is.

Chance after chance fell to the hosts, as Gillingham's version of the Kop—the Rainham End—went crazy, both in spurring on the blue lovers of their lives, and against the referee, giving him some of their "You don't know what you're doing!" treatment.

You could just tell the Gills were dominating when midfielder Adam "Sh*test player I have ever seen" Miller rifled a 25-yard free kick low and hard on target, instead of into the usual back of the 50-row Brian Moore Stand.

And it was even more amazing because the keeper actually had to save it, and no, not just catch it, but believe it or not, push it out for a corner. Who'd have thought it, eh?

Of course in usual anti-climatic Gillingham style, nothing happened from the resulting corner, but at least they were dominating.

As the game fizzled out, the general consensus was that a draw would be inevitable. And after all, the Gills never score after 90 minutes.

So three minutes were added on at the end, and a minute into that, disaster struck...

Handball inside the box. Penalty. Tears were following in the stand behind as the team's top scorer stepped up, kicked it...and scored.

Darlington is a long way up north from Gillingham in south east England.

Simeon Jackson claimed his 15th goal of the season, putting tears into the eyes of the countless amount of a 32-strong travelling contingent of Darlington fans.

Right at the death, when it was impossible, they did it. GILLINGHAM HAD WON! Sky Sports News told it to me as well when I got home, and it showed me that League Two table.

Fifth place—well clear of our next opponents, who come down to us looking for another laugh.

It was too easy last time at the New Meadow. That little team in blue from down south were roll-overs—7-0, what mugs!

This time the roles are reversed. Shrewsbury Town come down here having played a game more, have got three points less, and are in eighth place.

Gillingham have a game in-hand, are three points ahead of them, are up in a glorious fifth place promotion spot, and will be looking for one thing in Saturday's cup final at the krbs Priestfield Stadium.

Revenge.