Shrewsbury Town 2 - 2 Gillingham: Shrewsbury skipper James Collins denies Gillingham win

Posted Sunday, November 29, 2015 by PA

Skipper James Collins fired a fine equaliser as Shrewsbury held high-flying Gillingham to an entertaining 2-2 draw at a wet and windy Greenhous Meadow.

Shrewsbury took the lead in the 31st minute when Ian Black's free-kick was headed into his own net by Gillingham defender Deji Oshilaja.

Gills responded impressively and forced a string of fine saves from home goalkeeper Jayson Leutwiler, who produced fine stops from Dominic Samuel's near-post flick and a well-struck effort from top scorer Bradley Dack.

The pressure told with a deserved 37th-minute equaliser as Cody McDonald fired past Leutwiler from eight yards after being set up by Dack.

Shrewsbury almost regained the lead immediately but Scott Vernon's header from Jermaine Grandison's cross was tipped over the crossbar by visiting goalkeeper Stuart Nelson.

Gills started the second half brightly and, after Leutwiler denied Samuel, the men from Kent took the lead in style in the 59th minute with a stunning 25-yard drive from right-back Ryan Jackson into the top corner of the net.

Shrewsbury rallied and hit back to earn a point with a well-taken 70th-minute leveller as Vernon set up Collins to flick a shot past Nelson.