Gillingham see play-off hopes ended with defeat to Mansfield

Posted Sunday, April 21, 2024 by PA

Two goals in three second-half minutes saw promoted Mansfield end visiting Gillingham’s outside hopes of making the play-offs with a 2-1 comeback victory.

Timothee Dieng almost gave the Gills a dream start but headed over the angle inside the first 30 seconds from Remeao Hutton’s far post cross.

However, Dieng did find the net after 19 minutes. Jonny Williams’ pass sent him to the left by-line where he managed to squeeze home the ball from the tightest of angles past Christy Pym.

Mansfield dominated possession but failed to trouble Gills’ goalkeeper Jake Turner. The closest they came was an overhead kick by Tom Nichols which flew wide from six yards after 38 minutes.

However, the Stags came back out with renewed purpose and within five minutes of the restart Turner had to save from Aaron Lewis.

Substitute Davis Keillor-Dunn came close after 74 minutes as he forced a reaction save from Turner at his near post from Stephen Quinn’s low cross.

But three minutes later Nicols headed on a long ball and Keillor-Dunn drilled a finish past Turner from 16 yards for his 22nd goal of the season.

The comeback was complete three minutes later as Stephen McLaughlin took possession on the left and smashed a missile-like finish across Turner and into the top right corner.

Turner denied Quinn a third goal for Mansfield with his knees in stoppage time.