CITY prevented a club-record run of defeats by stopping the rot with a 1-1 draw against Gillingham.

Check out T&A chief sports writer Simon Parker's player ratings and game guide from the clash at Valley Parade.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Kelvin Mellor made a welcome – if too late – return to the City ranks and used his extra inches to good effect by heading their goal.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

It was the first time City had led at half-time for so long the announcer got the score wrong!

MOAN OF THE MATCH

City could not push on and were punished with an equaliser soon after the break.

TACTICS

Kelvin Mellor returned from injury as Gary Bowyer shook things up again. Billy Clarke, George Miller and Jermaine Anderson also came in.

PLAYER RATINGS:

CITY: Wilson 5, Mellor 7, P O’Connor 7, A O’Connor 7, Wood 6 (Woods 76min), O’Brien 6, Wright 6, Anderson 6, Scannell 7, Clarke 7 (Butterfield 79min), Miller 6 (Doyle 76min). Subs not used: Caddis, Devine, Payne, O’Donnell.

GILLINGHAM: Holy 6, O’Neill 6, Ehmer 6, Ogilvie 7, Fuller 6 (Garmston 40min, 6), Hanlan 6, Campbell 7 (Eaves 83min), Da Silva Lopes 5 (Rees 64min), Byrne 6, List 7, Charles-Cook 7. Subs not used: Lacey, Oldaker, King, Hadler.

REFEREE: Eddie Ilderton (Newcastle)

BOOKINGS: Clarke, Doyle (City)

ATTENDANCE: 15,686

SHOTS ON TARGET: City 3 Gillingham 1

SHOTS OFF TARGET: City 6 Gillingham 12

CORNERS: City 4 Gillingham 1

FOULS COMMITTED: City 9 Gillingham 14