Gillingham 1 - 1 Leyton Orient
Coca-Cola League One

TAMIKA MKANDAWIRE'S seventh goal of the season rescued a point for the O's at Gillingham on Tuesday night.

The O's again took their time to get going and trailed at the break to Chris Dickson's close range goal.

But a much improved second half showing saw Geraint Williams' men up the pressure on the home side and Mkandawire's 72nd minute equaliser was their reward.

The home side carved out a chance inside three minutes when Simeon Jackson's ball around the corner fed Rene Howe inside the area. He took the shot on across goal, but couldn't hit the target, sliding his right footed shot past the far post.

When their next chance materialised five minutes later they made sure they took it, Dickson forcing home from close range after Jones failed to gather in Jackson's fierce drive from the edge of the box.

Danny Jackman curled a free kick wide of the near post on 17 minutes as Gillingham created the early openings and they almost grabbed a fortutious second nine minutes before the interval when Jackson's shot deflected off Dickson but, thankfully, straight at Jones.

Five minutes later Jackson wasted a great chance to make it 2-0 when he broke the O's defensive line to reach Danny Jackman's ball forward, but he lifted the shot over Jones' crossbar.

Charlie Daniels sent a free kick beyond Alan Julian's far post in the final minute of the opening period, but Orient knew they wouid have to offer much more of a goal threat after half time.

However, it was the Gills who showed their teeth first after the break when Kevin Maher touched a free kick short for Adam Miller to drill goalwards. Jones was equal to the task though, diving to his right to grasp the ball.

O's debutant Aaron Doran sent a curling right footed shot a yard wide of Julian's goal on 53 after he received a ball from Daniels into feet and turned on the edge of the box.

An excellent cross from Jonathan Téhoué two minutes later almost picked out Ryan Jarvis in the middle, but he was crowded out by a couple of defenders and the ball squirmed through to Julian.

The away side's threat was growing, but Gillingham came so close to a second on 62 when Maher's inswinging corner was met by Dickson, only for Jones to make a super reaction save.

Orient moved possession to the other end straight away and Jason Demetriou's shot from the left hand side of the area needed a decent stop from Julian at his near post.

18 minutes from time the O's got the equaliser they had been threatening when Gillingham could only half clear Daniels' free kick from deep and Mkandawire thumped the ball past Julian with his left foot.

Parity should only have lasted four minutes, though, Garry Richards heading wide from Maher's inswinging free kick when scoring seemed easier.

At the other end Jarvis sent a volley flying over the top after James Scowcroft won the ball in the air inside the Gills penalty area, but honours were destined to end even.

Gillingham: Julian; Fuller (Palmer 44), Richards, Dennehy, Nutter; Miller, Maher (Barcham 77), Jackman; Howe (Oli 67), Jackson, Dickson
Subs: Royce (GK), Gowling, Weston, Walker

Goal: Dickson 8

Booked: Dickson

Leyton Orient: Jones; Purches, Mkandawire, Chorley, Daniels; Doran (Scowcroft 83), Chambers (Thornton 68), Smith, Demetriou; Jarvis, Téhoué (McGleish 68)
Subs: Morris (GK), Ashworth, Cave-Brown, Pires

Goal: Mkandawire 72

Booked: Chorley

Referee: Darren Sheldrake

Attendance: 4,753 (395 away)