Jacko Extends Run at Underhill

Gillingham have extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to five games now, after star striker Simeon Jackson grabbed a late equaliser.

With goals from Michael Leary and John O'Flynn either side of Barcham's third goal in two games, Barnet looked to have secured the win, until Canadian international Jackson popped up two minutes into injury time.

In a rather entertaining first half, Gillingham had in fact scored first, when Simeon Jackson put the Gills ahead with a shot from outside the box. Well he thought he had, but the assistant referee ruled him out for offside.

Gillingham did have a few more chances before the break, most notably on 33 minutes. Jackson was again involved, being played through by winger Albert Jarrett, before unleashing a low effort that Barnet's Rob Beckwith was only just able to save.

The action of the second half carried on from the first, but in a more emphatic style, as Michael Leary opened the scoring with a fantastic shot into the bottom right corner, from around 25 yards. Barnet were ahead, much to the delight of the home fans, with only 12 seconds gone after the re-start.

However, Barnet's joy was cancelled out in the 68th minute. Andrew Barcham—the hero at Edgeley Park—was again the saviour for Gillingham, netting a fantastic equaliser to level the scores.

After picking the ball up in midfield, Barcham cut in from the left before racing into the box, where after seeing his initial shot blocked, made no mistake from the rebound, firing home a powerful drive into the bottom left corner.

The nearly thousand strong travelling contingent at Underhill were once again happy, and with Gillingham fans taking up almost half of the game's attendance, the people from Kent were making their joy known to the Barnet regulars.

Just as Barnet's joy was cancelled out, so was Gillingham's two minutes later. Nicky Deverdics crossed in for John O'Flynn to head home from close range, putting Barnet back on top, and on course for a much-needed win at home.

But that win was snatched from their hands with just seconds to go. A long throw from centre-back Garry Richards was flicked on by substitute Gary Mulligan towards Jackson, who lifted his shot over the 'keeper and into the back of the net.

A fantastic sight for Gillingham fans, with the dominant away crowd sent home happy after seing their side snatch a late, late equaliser—keeping them well within touching distance of the play-offs.

As for Barnet, they will no doubt agree with the cliché saying that football can be a cruel game. They made their shots count, their defence held on brilliantly for much of the remaining 20 minutes, and they surely looked to have won it.

But in the end it was not to be, as Gillingham took the point, keeping them in ninth, and unfortunately for the home fans, keeping Barnet down in 20th, still within touching distance of the bottom two.