GILLINGHAM 4,

ALDERSHOT TN 4

THIS sort of game puts grey hairs on the heads of managers and coaches, but there were no complaints from the 5,974 spectators as Gillingham and Aldershot shared eight goals in a helter-skelter contest at Priestfield on Tuesday night.

Former Shot Adam Miller eventually converted a penalty to maintain Gillingham's push for a place in the play-offs, while Aldershot had the consolation of ending a run of three consecutive defeats.

The visitors trailed 3-1 with 35 minutes to go, but stormed back with three goals in nine minutes before Miller scored the final goal of a frantic, frenetic encounter.

The opening 20 minutes gave little hint of the mayhem to follow.

Andy Lindegaard was the somewhat unlikely player to light the blue touchpaper. Scott Davies' long centre from the right was nodded back by skipper Anthony Charles and the Shots newcomer made no mistake with an unchallenged header.

The pattern was established and the lead lasted just one minute. Andy Barcham, sent clear by Miller, fed Dennis Oli whose shot was well blocked by Alec McCarthy and Curtis Weston was there to blast the loose ball into the far corner.

Aldershot lived dangerously up to half-time. Miller headed a Nicky Southall cross onto the roof of the net and Charles was lucky to escape punishment when he appeared to pull back Oli as he broke clear on goal.

But Aldershot could have regained the lead in injury time when the new strike force of Jake Robinson and Marvin Morgan combined to good effect. Morgan's through-pass was perfectly weighted, but the on-loan man from Brighton dragged his shot wide with only Simon Royce to beat.

Gillingham again had the edge on the restart and it took them only four minutes to take the lead. Manager Mark Stimson had sent on Mark McCammon and the move paid off instantly. Southall knocked in a free-kick and the hefty striker headed past McCarthy.

And things looked bleak for Aldershot when the Gills added a third on 55 minutes. Again, McCammon was involved as his flick sent Barcham sprinting through to round McCarthy. The young keeper got something on the ball, but Barcham managed to bundle it into the net.

The exhultant Kent side were in for a shock, however, as Aldershot launched their goal blitz.

Within two minutes, a corner was helped on by Lindegaard and Dave Winfield headed his first goal in the Football League.

Four minutes later, Aldershot had squared the match at 3-3. And it was a moment to forget for former Aldershot midfielder Mark Bentley who headed past his own goalkeeper.

The home fans could hardly believe their eyes as the visitors proceeded to take the lead on 66 minutes. Robinson supplied the cross after a good run on the right and Mark Sandell had time to steady himself before placing the ball past Royce.

Aldershot's joy turned to anger six minutes later when Stuart Attwell adjudged Charles to have brought down Miller who got up to convert what looked to be a soft penalty.

Both teams went for it in the remaining 18 minutes. Gillingham went closest, but McCarthy stood up bravely to make a vital block from Barcham.

"It's a hard place to come and the players say they would have taken a point," said Shots manager Gary Waddock. "It was a hell of a game. We showed character and worked extremely hard for each other.

"We can't hold onto a lead and that's of some concern."

Aldershot are home to Morecambe this Saturday, still seeking that elusive first win of 2009.

Gillingham: Royce, Fuller, Richards, Bentley, Steer, Southall, Weston, Miller (Jackson 72), Barcham, Mulligan (McCammon 46), Oli. Subs (not used): Julian, Nutter, Lewis. Booked: Bentley, Mulligan, Southall.

Aldershot: McCarthy, Lindegaard, Blackburn, Winfield, Charles, Soares (Hudson 63), Davies, Harding, Robinson (Hylton 80), Morgan, Sandell. Subs (not used): Day, Grant, Newman.

Attendance: 5,974.

Referee: Stuart Attwell (Warwickshire).