Oli on the spot to rescue Gills vital late point

Gillingham striker Denis Oli grabbed just his second league goal of the season to earn his side a valuable draw in an entertaining Npower League Two match with Bristol Rovers on Good Friday.

The Gills took the lead 10 minutes into the second half with Chris Whelpdale firing in his tenth goal of the season after latching onto Danny Jackman’s back-heel.

However, the Kent club’s lead lasted just five minutes, Elliot Richardson’s powerful header averted the despairing dive of Paulo Gazzaniga in the Gills goal to level matters with half an hour remaining.

Against the run of play Bristol Rovers then completed the turnaround, Mustapha Carayol found himself clean through on goal and the winger confidently rolled the hosts in front to the delight of 6,000 vocal home supporters.

With Gillingham heading for an eleventh away defeat of the campaign Oli, who was set to be loaned out by manager Andy Hessenthaler two months previously,  pounced to head in a vital late equaliser which keeps the Kent club’s playoff hopes alive.

Post-match, Hessenthaler praised Oli’s impact and hopes that the recent injury problems, that have kept him out for the majority of the campaign, are now behind him.

“He’s just got on with his work.” Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent.   

“He has been no trouble since I arrived, he has had his own problems with injuries but he is part of us and fair play to him.”

The former Grays Athletic striker’s only previous goal this campaign came in the 3-1 victory over Barnet at the start of March, but his overall attitude and work ethic have delighted Hessenthaler.

He continued: “He is a top lad and a great lad to work with. His attitude has been spot on since I walked into the Football club.”