Missed chances cost Gillingham Town dearly in battle at the top

MISSED chances meant Gillingham Town's lead at the top of the Toolstation Western League First Division was slashed to just a point.

Opponents Melksham Town weathered an attacking storm from Adrian Foster's outfit to win 2-1 and join Cadbury Heath on the heels of the division's pacesetters.

TAKING AIM: Gillingham Town's leading scorer Lee Gale prepares to shoot during their Toolstation Western League First Division defeat to Melksham Town. Pictures by Terry Fisher Photography
LATE RED: Benjani Ben Salem misses out on a cross for Gillingham Town on Saturday. The attacker was dismissed for two yellow cards in the clash with Melksham Town.

Benjani Ben Salem spurned three early opportunities, first missing the target with a spectacular close-range overhead kick before seeing a shot saved and another blocked by a defender.

Winger Danny Thompson fed Lee Gale on 13 minutes but a tackle by a Melksham man kept the scores level.

The visitors' first attack of the game on 21 minutes brought their opening goal when a series of deflections wrong-footed Gill keeper Jonny Hill. One become two seven minutes later when the home team were undone at a corner. Hill failed to claim the delivery and an attacker converted.

Matters could have been made considerably worse for Gillingham 11 minutes before the break when Hill conceded a penalty, tripping an on-rushing forward. However, Melksham missed the target with the subsequent spot kick.

Ryan Murray gave Gillingham hope on 66 minutes, finally hitting the net with a direct free kick. However, further desperate defending and Benjani's dismissal for two yellow cards saw them foiled.