Tranmere Rovers 2 - 2 Gillingham

TWO set piece goals from striker Darren Byfield gave Gillingham a point from a full-blooded encounter against Tranmere at Prenton Park on Saturday.

Tranmere took the lead after just 10 minutes when skipper Michael Jackson was left unmarked to score with a good header at the near post.

But the visitors equalised just five minutes later when Byfield got his first with a superb free kick from just outside the D.

Byfield was unlucky not to put his side ahead in the 40th minute when another set piece rattled the crossbar with John Achterberg beaten.

But the home side were in front again less than two minutes into the second half when their top scorer Chris Greenacre took advantage of some sloppy defending to score with a fine volley.

Byfield hit the bar for the second time of the afternoon shortly afterwards with an outrageous effort from all of 30 yards which drew applause even from the home supporters.

But he got his just rewards in the 63rd minute when he picked himself up to convert a penalty he had won by drawing the foul from Jackson.

Mike Flynn came closest for Gills during the remainder of the match with a free kick that Achterberg tipped round the post, but they will be happy to have ended their three-match losing streak, especailly after Jackson hit the post in the closing stages.

Gillingham: Brown, Rose, Sancho, Johnson, Williams, Hessenthaler (Jackman 79), Crofts, Flynn, Jarvis, Shields (Harris 9), Byfield.
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Pouton, Hislop.

* FOR A FULL MATCH REPORT, MORE PICTURES AND ALL THE POST-MATCH REACTION SEE MONDAY'S MEDWAY MESSENGER.

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