Blackpool 1 Gillingham 1

THE Gills returned from the seaside with renewed optimism after ending their losing streak against Blackpool on Saturday.

Gillingham may have just one win under their belts but few opponents have showed any real class and that will give the side hope that things can turn around quickly.

They should have snatched a win at the death against the seasiders only for Matt Jarvis’ goalbound shot to take a deflection off the home keeper’s legs.

Matt Jarvis partnered Guylain Ndumbu-Nsungu up front, giving the youngster freedom to move wherever he wanted, which unnerved the Blackpool defence early on.

Just three minutes had passed before Gillingham went ahead, as a flowing move ended with Jackman twice having efforts blocked, before Ndumbu-Nsungu popped up to score his first for the club.

Jarvis could have doubled the lead after beating left-back Danny Coid for pace and bearing down on the keeper, but from an angle his shot rolled across the goal-line and was cleared by Michael Jackson.

Blackpool equalised when Jupp was unable to get a decent clearance on Simon Gillett’s cross, Wes Hoolahan put the ball back in from the opposite side and Scott Vernon was on hand to head home.