A goal deep into added-on time from Cody McDonald has earned Gillingham a 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Wolves dominated the opening 45 minutes, with Michael Jacobs and Kevin McDonald going close for the visitors as Gillingham struggled to get out of their own half.
However, it was the home side who created the better chances after the break, and after Danny Kedwell had struck the post, McDonald fired home in the final minute of added-on time to earn his team an excellent three points.
Read below to see how the action unfolded at the Priestfield Stadium.
Hello, and welcome to Sports Mole's coverage of the match between Gillingham and Wolverhampton Wanderers in League One.
First things first, I should tell you that it's game on at the Priestfield Stadium. There was a little bit of doubt about whether the match would go ahead this evening, but while the rain has come down in Gillingham, the pitch is fine and we should have a cracking encounter tonight.
The team news is in from Gillingham. Full details of that coming right up.
GILLINGHAM XI: Nelson, Harriman, Martin, Hessenthaler, Legge, Barrett, Lee, Gregory, McDonald, Kedwell, Fagan
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS XI: McCarey, Ricketts, Batth, Elokobi, Golbourne, Henry, McDonald, Edwards, Sako, Jacobs, Doyle
As you can see from the Wolves starting lineup, there are a few surprises, including the absence of Wayne Hennessey. The Wales international was expected to replace the injured Carl Ikeme, but according to head coach Kenny Jackett, Hennessey informed him yesterday that he didn't want to play. Make of that what you will...
Wolves are also without Ethan Ebanks-Landell and the suspended Richard Stearman, so George Elokobi comes into the centre of defence. Full details of the substitutes for both clubs coming up.
GILLINGHAM SUBSTITUTES: Howard, Davies, Linganzi, Akinfenwa, Dack, Marriott, Daniels
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS SUBSTITUTES: Flatt, Foley, Ihiekwe, Evans, Davis, Cassidy, Griffiths
The reverse fixture between these two clubs took place on the second weekend of the season, with Wolves running out 4-0 winners. Given their recent form, it would come as a surprise if it wasn't a closer match this evening!
We are less than 10 minutes away from kickoff at the Priestfield Stadium. The word is that the referee's biggest concern regarding tonight's game revolved around the touchline and how the assistants were going to deal with the sandy surface at the side of the pitch. It's been windy everywhere throughout Friday, but it has calmed down slightly in Gillingham.
The two teams are walking out onto the pitch to the sound of 'Let me entertain you' by Robbie Williams. Let's hope that they take inspiration and entertain everyone else tonight!
Gillingham get us underway.
Wolves have had all of the early possession, but it's Gillingham who get the first shot on target through Craig Fagan, but his effort is easily held by Aaron McCarey.
EFFORT! Bakary Sako appears to be operating in a central role this evening, and he takes an early opportunity to fire a speculative attempt on goal, but his 25-yard effort drifts just wide.
We are just six minutes into this match, and the pitch already appears to be cutting up. That could make things interesting later on.
There's plenty of intent about Wolves at the moment, but Gillingham are packing plenty of players behind the ball. Wolves might need to rely on some magic from one of their flair players to open up the Gillingham defence.
CHANCE! It should be 1-0 to the visitors. James Henry whipped in a delightful ball into the penalty area, but a sliding Michael Jacobs could only direct the ball straight at Stuart Nelson from eight yards.
Wolves have had 70% of possession during the opening 10 minutes of the game. They need to turn that dominance into goals though...
Gillingham are really struggling to get hold of the ball. They are sat far too deep, and when they do win the ball off their opponents, they only have Danny Kedwell has an outlet in attack.
James Henry and Michael Jacobs combine on the left, before the on-loan Derby man sees a fierce shot blocked by the Gillingham defence. I was at Molineux for Wolves' match with Leyton Orient on Sunday, and Jacobs ran the show. He's beginning to have a greater influence on this match now.
We are enduring a scrappy period of play at the moment. Both teams are attempting to use the flanks with a direct ball, but the wind is blowing the ball out of play.
Wolves earn three corners in succession, but they fail to get a clear effort on goal. Kevin McDonald tries his luck from the corner of the area, but he scuffed his shot and the ball fell to Stuart Nelson in the Gillingham goal.
That would have been some goal. Kevin McDonald dinked the ball over to the back post for Bakary Sako, who had drifted behind his marker, but the winger was always stretching for the ball and his volley went well wide.
We are through 30 minutes at the Priestfield Stadium, and Wolves have dominated the match so far. However, they have no goals to show for it, and Gillingham can only improve on what they have offered since kickoff.
Stuart Nelson has got really lucky there! A free kick was curled into the area that the Gillingham stopper struggled to deal with under pressure from Kevin Doyle, but the referee deemed that Doyle had committed a foul, but he didn't make contact with Nelson, who simply flapped at the high ball.
EFFORT! Michael Jacobs switched the play to Scott Golbourne, who flicked the ball to Kevin Doyle. The Republic of Ireland international hooked the ball back to the advancing Kevin McDonald, who saw his volley go straight at Stuart Nelson.
EFFORT! Best chance of the first half for Wolves. Michael Jacobs weaved his way around a couple of Gillingham players before firing a 20-yard shot on goal that Stuart Nelson did superbly to tip away.
Wolves are really pressing Gillingham back in the closing stages of the first half, but despite winning a free kick and a corner kick, they can't force a shot on goal. The home side need the half-time whistle to come sooner rather than later.
There will be one minute of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The half-time whistle goes at the Priestfield Stadium, and it remains goalless between the two sides. Wolves have dominated every aspect of this encounter, but with nothing to show for it, Gillingham will return for the second half determined to put in an improved display.
The visitors had a remarkable 66% of possession during that first half, creating 11 attempts on goal to Gillingham's three. Kenny Jackett's side also won seven corners compared to their opponents one, but the most important statistic is that we are still at 0-0.
If Wolves continue to fail in front of goal, I'm sure that it won't be long before Kenny Jackett considers introducing either Leigh Griffiths or Jake Cassidy. Kevin Doyle has done alright, but I can't remember him getting a shot on goal.
Wolves get us underway in the second half.
There is a bit of speculation doing the rounds that Hennessey could have been the subject of an offer from Crystal Palace. I will keep you posted if anything develops during the second half.
It's been a better start to the second half from Gillingham, with Danny Kedwell firing a decent chance over from just inside the penalty area.
Aaron McCarey has looked shaky when attempting to catch a high ball on a couple of occasions, and he is fortunate to be able to collect the ball at the second attempt after spilling a lofted cross.
SAVE! Aaron McCarey redeems himself with an important block from Cody McDonald, who looked favourite to score from 12 yards after good work from substitute Bradley Dack.
Wolves have done well to withstand a lively opening to the second half from their hosts. They are beginning to find their stride, but there's a much more open feel to this encounter now.
SUBSTITUTION! Leigh Griffiths enters the action in place of James Henry. That will see Bakary Sako return to the flank.
SUBSTITUTION! Gillingham take the opportunity to make a change too, with Adebayo Akinfenwa replacing Craig Fagan. Akinfenwa against George Elokobi should be quite a battle...
Other than McCarey's save early on in the second half, we have been starved of clear-cut chances since the break. Wolves are looking threatening around the edge of the penalty area, but Gillingham are throwing bodies in front of the ball.
Michael Jacobs continues to be a threat for Wolves, but his final ball has been lacking since half time. Gillingham are beginning to try to find Akinfenwa with long balls, but they have had mixed success.
SUBSTITUTION! Kevin Doyle has been withdrawn from the action, with Jake Cassidy coming on in his place. Apparently, there's never been a goalless draw between these two teams...
SHOTS! Michael Jacobs attempts to find the top corner with a curling effort from 25 yards, but it's straight into the hands of Stuart Nelson. Jake Cassidy also gets off a shot from distance, but there's no pace on his drive.
WOODWORK! Where has that come from? Danny Kedwell muscles Danny Batth off the ball before directing an excellent effort on goal with the outside of his boot that struck the inside of the post, before being cleared.
Time is running out for either side to nick a late winner. Based on the entire 85 minutes, Wolves probably deserve the win, but Gillingham have created the two best opportunities in the second half.
Michael Jacobs plays a terrific ball into Leigh Griffiths, who sees his header saved at point-blank range by Stuart Nelson. The Scot should have scored, but fortunately for the striker, he had been flagged offside.
There will be two minutes of added-on time.
GOAL! Gillingham 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers (McDonald)
Unbelievable! A corner into the box isn't cleared by Wolves, and Cody McDonald is on hand to fire the ball home from six yards. Disaster for the visitors!
FULL TIME: Gillingham 1-0 Wolverhampton Wanderers
The full-time whistle goes, and Cody McDonald's last-gasp goal has earned a remarkable win for Gillingham. It's extremely harsh on Wolves, who were well worth a point, but they have ultimately paid for failing to take their chances, especially in the first half.
That late goal for Gillingham has seen them move into 14th position in the League One table, while Wolves miss out on the chance to close on leaders Brentford.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this match. Thank you for joining us this evening, and we hope that you return for our coverage over the weekend. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
