By Chris O'Brien
April 3 2004

A late Lee Bullock strike gave the Bluebirds a 2-1 victory at the Priestfield Stadium, keeping play-off dreams alive. Robert Earnshaw was also on the scoresheet for City, in a game that saw two missed penalties.

Substitute Lee Bullock hit a late winner to keep City's play-off hopes alive as the Bluebirds edged past Gillingham with a 2-1 victory at the Priestfield Stadium. The midfielder headed home his second goal of his loan spell with the Bluebirds, who played in the disgusting orange third strips today, in the 86th minute to give Lennie Lawrence's side the lead for the second time.

Cardiff started brightly, with the return of left winger Paul Parry clearly evident as City attacked the Gills in numbers. After some early pressure, Robert Earnshaw was handed a golden opportunity to give the visitors the lead from the penalty spot after Leon Johnson brought down Alan Lee in the area. However, Zambian-born Earnshaw missed the spot-kick due to a good block from Steve Banks, to the dismay of our 700 travelling supporters.

The save came as a lift to the hosts who started to enjoy some time on the ball. Former-Jack Mamady Sidibe sent a header inches wide of Margetson's goal and Scotsman Gary Wales also went close. Still, despite Gillingham beginning to create some opportunities it was Cardiff who took the lead on 36 minutes thanks to some good work from the lively Paul Parry. The Welsh international, who has enjoyed a story of rags to riches since his move from Hereford United, took the ball around Banks and hit a goal-bound shot only for Robert Earnshaw to steal the goal by nodding into an empty net from only yards out.

Gillingham showed notable improvement as the second-half got under way, with the half-time team-talk from manager Andy Hessenthaler obviously having some effect. Their positive start to the final period was rewarded just before the hour mark when Chris Hope met a Nicky Southall corner with his head to restore parity. It was a bitter blow for the Bluebirds, who had also suffered from Daniel Gabbidon limping off earlier in the half, with Chris Barker replacing him.

Lennie Lawrence introduced on-loan Lee Bullock with 10 minutes to go, in what proved to be an inspired substitution. The York City midfielder, a temporary Bluebird until the end of the season, took only 6 minutes to make an impact with a header that proved to be the winning goal for Cardiff.

There was more action in this entertaining game though, with Gillingham winning a penalty with only 2 minutes to play. Almost straight after the kick-off that followed Bullock's strike, Chris Barker tangled with Gary Wales in the penalty area and the referee showed no hesitation in awarding the second spot-kick of the match. Alan Pouton stepped up, but his effort was poor and flew wide of the post to deny the Gills a vital point.

The result sees City remain in 10th place on 58 points, but the play-offs look a real possibility. Millwall are next up for the Bluebirds, and although the Den has been a very difficult place to go to this season, Dennis Wise's side have an F.A Cup tie against Sunderland on Sunday with a place in the final at the Millennium Stadium at stake. Whatever the result, I doubt the Lions will be up for a league game against Cardiff, and I predict an away end. As for Gillingham, they slip to 21st in the table only 2 points from the red zone, and in my opinion Division Two football awaits the Kent-outfit next season.
 

Full Time - Gillingham 1-2 Cardiff City
Attendance - 7,852

Gillingham FC: Banks, Southall, Hope, Leon Johnson, Rose, Hessenthaler, Pouton, Spiller, Wales, Agyemang, Sidibe.
Subs: Cox, Bossu, Crofts, Jarvis, Beckwith.

Cardiff City: Margetson, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Collins, Croft, Robinson, Whalley, Langley, Parry, Earnshaw, Lee.
Subs: Gordon, Campbell, Barker, Bullock, Alexander.