Salford City earn playoff spot despite falling to a 0-1 loss at home to Gillingham

Salford City fell to a 0-1 loss to Gillingham on the last day of the EFL League Two season, but still managed to maintain their playoff spot with Masnfield Town failing to score a third goal in their match against Colchester United which would have saw them leapfrog Salford City.

Salford dominated the opening 15 minutes without really creating many chances. The best chance fell to Louie Barry on 10 minutes with a header that went narrowly wide of the post. Barry Impressed in the first half and was probably the best player on the pitch in the early exchanges, sending over a couple of smart crosses for Matt Smith to attack.

By the half an hour mark Gillingham had begun to get back into the game by creating a couple of good opportunities, mainly down the right through fullback David Tutonda. Gillingham’s Oliver Hawkins was also beginning to hold the ball up well which was causing problems to the Salford defence.

On 30 minutes Louie Barry went close again for Salford, With the former Barcelona trainee firing a free kick over the wall towards the bottom right corner, but the ‘Gils’ keeper Jake Turner produced a fine save.

Looking for a breakthrough 👊 pic.twitter.com/fnjAQYqYTT

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 8, 2023

In the second half Gillingham started the better of the two sides, coming out with energy and a cutting edge. This would finally pay off for the Kent-based side as they were awarded with a penalty due to a trip from Kyle Vessel on Tom Nichols.

The penalty was put away by Cheye Alexander on 84 minutes as he sent keeper Alex Cairns the wrong way and calmly finessed it into the top right. Salford then pressed Gillingham in the final stages of the game, with Neil Wood bringing on striker Matty Lund to try and offer something new up front as they pushed for an equaliser.

Salford attacked well during the last 5 minutes and the pressure was almost rewarded when Ibou Touray delivered a great cross into the box, but ‘Gils’ keeper and Greater Manchester raised Jake Turner produced a fine save.

Despite there being an additional six minutes added on at the end of the game Gillingham hung onto their lead despite pressure from the Salford wingers Luke Bolton and substitute Conor McAleny who looked the most likely to trouble Gillingham’s back line.

Salford lost the game 0-1 but still went onto earn a place in the League 2 playoffs despite an incredibly nervy finish, due to Mansfield Towns game continuing almost 10 minutes into added time. In the end Mansfield were a goal short of Salfords +18 goal difference.

The moment we made the @SkyBetLeagueTwo Play-Offs for the first time in our history ✊ pic.twitter.com/sXDua5HJOv

— Salford City FC (@SalfordCityFC) May 8, 2023