Tuesday 13 April - League Division One - Report by GillsConnect Man on the Terrace

Brighton have an excellent away record this season, having won seven and drawn nine, and you could see from the first whistle that they meant business. They were quicker to the ball and never let Gills settle scoring within five minutes when Adam Ei-Abd stooped to meet the ball at the near post following a clever corner routine.

Throughout the game the Seagulls were quietly efficient when on the ball creating many openings with quick direct running at the Gills defensive unit. In truth the score line should have been greater as Brighton wasted several golden opportunities, including a penalty, to increase their dominance over an average Gills.

Shortly after the second period started Gills Adam Miller (left) took a neat flick from the hard working Rene Howe and continued a run into the area, beating a defender, and drove low into the net.

The momentum was then with the Gills but they never maintained it and it was Brighton who were creating the chances to win the game.

Brighton’s early goal increased their determination to dominate the Gills and their crisp neat one touch football passing the ball about with ease to create openings.

However, their next chance was gifted to them by Gills Darren Dennehy who inexplicably made a loose pass across the pitch and Hendrie intercepted and following a one/two with Murray, hit a powerful shot that was deflected over Alan Julian’s bar.

Gills first half performance was little better than average. Dennis Oli might have replied for the home side after being picked out by Renee Howe's pull-back, but the striker's side-foot effort was blocked by the large out-stretched boot of Peter Brezovan.

Manager Mark Stimson must have read the riot act during the half time break as Gills were facing the prospects of zero points and the very real threat of relegation.

Darren Dennehy was substituted during the break and young Tom Wynter (right) was introduced into the heart of the defence to play alongside Josh Gowling.

The Gills started the second period brightly and within five minutes were level when Adam Miller latched onto Rene Howe's flick-on and ran into the area, keeping his composure he went to the side of the diving Brezovan and slotted the ball into the yarning goal.

It was a time to push on and consolidate with another goal but Brighton were not easy to break down at the back and the Seagulls should have gone ahead when Barnes played Brighton’s top scorer Murray (left) through on goal.

The striker easily went past Josh Gowling leaving him stranded but with only Alan Julian to beat he shot well wide when he really should have buried it into the Gills net.

Mark Stimson then sent on substitute Simeon Jackson and could have scored with his first touch as he raced onto a ball over the top, but Brighton keeper Brezovan was smartly off his line to save on the edge of the area.

Brighton then had another great chance to go ahead as the normally reliable Murray ran onto a through ball from the impressive Hendrie but struck a wide volley that sailed high into row Z.

Gills missed a sitter of their own when another Mark Stimson substitute, Chris Dickson, met a ball at the back post to reach a Danny Jackman free kick but could only direct the ball across goal onto the far upright.

Yet another Brighton chance was wasted by Gary Dicker who matched his team mate Murray by hitting a ball high wide and not very handsome into the Rainham End stand when it was easier to put it past the exposed Alan Julian.

Five minutes left came a moment that defined Murray’s and Brighton’s evening as he raced onto a beautiful through ball from Bennet but as he shaped to shoot past Julian, Josh Gowling pulled him down from behind. Referee James Linnington produced the dreaded red card and Murray had a chance to redeem his early misses.

Sponsors Man of the Match Alan Julian (left) dived full stretch to his left to make a wonderful save from a well placed Murray spot kick and to gain Gills a valuable point. Who knows how valuable come the end of the season?

Gills: (4-4-2) Alan Julian, Barry Fuller, Josh Gowling, Darren Dennehy (Tom Wynter 46 minutes), John Nutter; Adam Miller (Simeon Jackson 60 minutes), Danny Jackman, Curtis Weston, Andy Barcham; Dennis Oli, Rene Howe (Chris Dickson 71 minutes).

Unused Subs: Simon Royce (GK), Stuart Lewis, Kevin Maher and Mark Bentley.

Brighton: (4-5-1) Brezovan, Calderon, El-Abd, Virgo, Hoyte; Bennett, Arismendi (Navarro 68), Hendrie (Dicker 78), Crofts, LuaLua (Barnes 58); Murray.

Unused Subs: Walker (GK), Elphick, Carole, Holroyd.

Attendance: 7,977