Danny Kedwell fires in the equaliser for Gillingham against Bournemouth on Saturday and, below, celebrates with boss Andy Hessenthaler at the final whistle Pictures: Ady Kerry

by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler praised the character in his Gillingham side after they came from behind to earn a replay.

Gillingham’s FA Cup journey looked over at the first hurdle after trailing 3-1 with an hour gone at Bournemouth but Hessenthaler’s side bounced back to take the tie back to Priestfield.

“We showed fantastic character,” said the Gills boss. “We were 3-1 down but it only needed a goal because it’s the FA Cup and anything can happen.

“It was another crazy game after last week’s 4-3 win and it shows we have good characters in the dressing room.

“We just need to show a bit more belief and sometimes we lacked that. We kept plugging away and fortunately we got the second goal after a mistake from their keeper.”

After Danny Jackman had pulled it back to 3-2 the 376 travelling fans were sent into delirium as Danny Kedwell slotted in to make it 3-3 in the 90th minute.

It could have been so different though had Bournemouth finished the Gills off after going 3-1 up and looking in charge.

Bournemouth’s second goal came from a free-kick that the Gills boss thought should never have been given. Keeper Paulo Gazzaniga dropped the resulting cross and Bournemouth scored. A third goal followed a minute later as the Gills looked in deep trouble.

“It was never a foul against Matt Lawrence and the decision summed the referee’s afternoon up,” said Hessenthaler. “Unfortunately for young Paulo as he dropped it, their player capitalised on it.

“For the third goal there was a bit of naivety and we’ve made a couple of poor decisions defensively. There are lessons to be learned there.”

The fightback means the Gills are now in Sunday’s hat for the second round draw. The replay at Priestfield is a week on Tuesday – providing they don’t get chosen for television coverage.

Do you agree with Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler? Have your say in our comments section below.