Rees nets stoppage-time winner as Gillingham leave battling Burton empty-handed

Posted Sunday, January 13, 2019 by PA

Substitute Josh Rees scored a stoppage time-winner as FA Cup giantkillers Gillingham won 3-2 at Carabao Cup semi-finalists Burton after a thriller at the Pirelli Stadium.

Gillingham had led 2-0 at half-time thanks to Elliott List’s strike and Callum Reilly’s penalty as they sought to build on their cup win over Premier League Cardiff.

However, Albion, looking to recover from their 9-0 midweek mauling at the hands of Manchester City, hit back after the break to level through Scott Fraser’s brace – only for Rees to sink them right at the end.

The Gills struck with their first effort of the game, on the counter attack, having absorbed heavy Burton pressure in the opening 20 minutes of the game.

Lucas Akins and Jamie Allen both fired wide early on whilst Ben Fox saw Luke O’Neill clear his curling effort off the line.

An Akins shot was then blocked and within seconds List was bursting through at the other end with Burton exposed at the back and, after beating John Brayford on the outside, the forward calmly stroked home past Bradley Collins.

Albion continued to enjoy the better chances but it all unravelled on the stroke of half-time.

O’Neill’s free kick was adjudged by referee Peter Wright to have been handled in the wall and Reilly stepped up to smash home the spot-kick against his former side.

Fraser’s quickfire double after the break got Albion back on terms, though.

He found the back of the net off the inside of the post for his first in the 52nd minute and then, eight minutes later, thrashed the equaliser past Tomas Holy at his near post.

Albion looked more likely to grab a winner but Rees fired home after List battled inside the box to set him up from Brendan Hanlan’s cross.