A BRAVE Gillingham side narrowly lost out on this years play-offs ensuring a stay in League Two for at least another year. After a reprival of the clubs fortunes in the second half of the season The Gills had every chance of landing themselves a play-off place.
A win at home to Macclesfield the previous week would have almost guarenteed them a spot but they failed to take advantage. Going down by three goals after 17 minutes the match ended up 2 - 4 and left Gills with everything to do on the last day.
With Chesterfield only needing a point for the championship, Gillingham were hoping a slip up from either Torquay or Stevenage would put them in contention for the promotion finals.
Things started going downhill after 54 minutes when Danny Whitaker rounded Alan Julian, finishing from a tight angle and putting the hosts ahead.
13 minutes later however Gills top scorer Cody Mcdonald equalised after a well-placed ball from strike partner Adebayo Akinfenwa put him through placing the shot beyond the reach of Chesterfield keeper Tommy Lee.
But it wasn't to be as Gillingham supporters suffered heartache in the 76th minute with Jack Lester flicking his shot in from Scott Griffiths' cross.
Deane Smalley then wrapped things up for the hosts with a tap-in winning Chesterfield both the match and the League Two title.
Visiting manager Andy Hessenthaler told the BBC: "I can't be too critical of the lads. At half time things were going how we planned them, but in the second half we conceded but then gave ourselves a lifeline.
"There were no fingers pointing today, it's about 46 games. Up until the 76th minute we had something and we were there, but ultimately it wasn't to be.
"It was over the season, not just about today. It's about consistency. The early part of the season was disjointed, half the squad was in the stand."
Below: A fans montage to the last trip to Wembley for The Gills
Below: A fans montage to the last trip to Wembley for The Gills
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