Chris Dickson gives Gillingham the lead against Leyton Orient Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham were denied maximum points at Priestfield on Tuesday night after visitors Leyton Orient scored a late and controversial equaliser.

The Gills were ahead after just eight minutes as Chris Dickson netted from close range, after Orient keeper Jamie Jones failed to gather Simeon Jackson's low and powerful strike.

Things were levelled up with 15 minutes left as Tamika Mkandawire scored following Charlie Daniels’ set-piece. It was a hotly-contested free-kick in the first place, after Dickson had been penalised for a foul.

It was a decision from referee Darren Sheldrake that cost the Gills a second successive League 1 victory. Gills boss Mark Stimson was disappointed at the decision to award Orient a free-kick.

"It was harsh," said Stimson. "It might look a small thing but I know from the sidelines that the ball is going in the box and I genuinely thought it was our free-kick.

"I’ve spoken with the officials but they don’t agree and they thought it was the other way around."

It was a crucial moment in the game and the Gills were unable to find a second goal.

"After taking an early lead, from a decent strike by Jacko and Dicko following in, you think ‘great start’," said Stimson.

"We didn’t do badly first half and we spoke at half-time about what we needed to keep doing. We needed to keep turning their back four because we’ve got a lot of pace up front and we could cause them problems.

"That didn’t really materialise second half. To concede the goal and come away with just a point is disappointing because I thought we had a great chance of getting three."

Stimson had named an attacking line-up with Jackson recalled to the side to play in a three-man strike-force alongside Dickson and Rene Howe.

Orient were always a threat but it was the Gills who almost added a second when Danny Jackman’s free-kick curled just the wrong side of Jones’ post.

Jones also had to be alert to tip Barry Fuller’s long-range looping cross over the bar and gather Dickson’s shot as he deflected another low Jackson shot goalwards.

Jackson combined with Howe before the break to come close again but this time the striker lifted his deft lob just over.

The Gills held their lead for the break but, worryingly, skipper Fuller left the pitch with an injured arm just before half-time.

Jones’ handling was tested again early in the second half and he kept hold of Adam Miller’s low shot from a Gills free-kick.

At the other end Aaron Doran got a shot away, after a good turn on the edge of the area, but he fired wide. Moments later a great cross from Jonathan Tehoue was almost converted by Ryan Jarvis, only for Gills keeper Alan Julian to pounce.

Jones needed look more than anything to keep Dickson’s header out on the hour mark as the striker glanced Kevin Maher’s corner towards the target. That chance was quickly followed by a stinging drive from Orient’s Demetriou that was saved well low down by Julian.

Gillingham conceded in controversial circumstances on 72 minutes when Dickson was penalised from a foul and Orient scored from the free-kick as Daniels' cross fell to Mkandawire and he smashed home.

Garry Richards missed a golden chance to restore the lead immediately but he headed Maher’s corner wide.

Fuller will have an x-ray on his arm and there are fears it could be a break.

"It must have been a whack for him to come off because he’s as tough as anything," said Stimson.

Gills: Julian, Fuller (Palmer 44mins), Nutter, Dennehy, Richards, Miller, Maher (Barcham 77mins), Jackman, Howe (Oli 68mins), Jackson, Dickson. Subs: Royce, Gowling, Weston, Walker.

Orient: Jones, Purches, Chorley, Mkandawire, Chambers (Thornton 68mins), Demetriou, Daniels, Jarvis, Tehoue (McGleish 68mins), Smith, Doran (Scowcroft 84mins). Subs: Morris, Ashworth, Cave-Brown, Pires.

Attendance: 4,753.