Barnet’s trip to Gillingham ends all square reports Nick Sandamas

Priestfield Stadium, home of Gillingham FC — Priestfield Stadium, Gillingham

Gillingham 1 Barnet 1

Barnet and Gillingham couldn’t be separated at Priestfield in yesterday lunchtime’s League Two kick off as both sides had to settle for a point apiece. This was the Bees’ fourth league draw in a row.

Barnet, who went into the game unbeaten away in the league since August, made one alteration to their starting line up from last time out with Kane Smith coming in for Ben Winterburn who dropped to the bench.

Also on the bench was Rhys Browne after three months out with injury.

The Bees started the better and, on 17 minutes, deservedly took the lead when Idris Kanu took the ball towards the byline and squared to Callum Stead to finish from close range for his fifth goal of the season.

Lee Ndlovu was set up by Nathan Ofoborh five minutes later but the number nine snatched at the shot and the ball ended up on the open seated stand behind the goal.

The Gills’ first chance on goal arrived on 34 minutes, when a long throw by Remeao Hutton caused panic in the box and the ball found its way to the feet of dangerman Bradley Dack who forced keeper Ciaran Slicker to palm the ball away from the goal.

Ryan Glover produced a great run from the right on 39 minutes as his Bees side looked for the comfort of gaining a two-goal cushion but his low strike inside the box was hacked off the line by Dack.

However, in time added on at the end of the first half, the Gills levelled when the Bees were penalised for a foul 30 yards from goal and Dack took aim, bending the free kick over the wall and into the roof of the net.

The second half’s early moments saw Slicker beat out a shot from Seb Palmer-Holden whilst, soon after, Bees’ Kane Smith’s shot went over the bar.

The game’s last real chance arrived with twenty minutes left with Dack heading over after Gareth McCleary crossed to him.

Both sides made changes late on to try and force the win, including the return of Browne in a triple change but a point ensued to keep both sides in with a shout of the top seven.

The Bees host Harrogate next Saturday, where they will be looking to end their winless run which now stands at five games.

Team: Slicker, Collinge, Senior, Tavares, Smith (Browne 84), Glover (Kensdale 87), Ofoborh (Winterburn 84), Shelton, Stead (Assombalonga 84), Ndlovu (Hawkins 46), Kanu

Subs not used: Evans, Hartigan

Attendance 5778 (406 away fans)

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