GILLINGHAM fans have learned never to leave games early.

No team in any of the four divisions have seen more goals in the final ten minutes.

Valley Parade regulars may despair about the number of late strikes that have hit City over the campaign. The Bantams have conceded 12 in the last ten with a further six going in their favour.

The Gills can top that, having let in 13 goals late on – the most in the division.

But at the other end, the Kent side have netted 16 times from the 81st minute onwards – only Sheffield United have scored more. One of those pinched a point at City in November.

The overall tally of 29 goals in the closing stages – the highest anywhere – makes it clear why you won’t see many supporters sneaking out to beat the rush.

It happened again for Gillingham on Monday at Leyton Orient, where they were 3-1 up and in sight of a fourth away win under Justin Edinburgh.

But the relegation-threatened hosts hit back to grab a point with former Gill Josh Wright bagging the equaliser after 85 minutes.

That knocked the gloss off Cody McDonald’s two-goal return to the side which took his tally for the season to 18.

Coach Steve Lovell admits Gillingham – who had over 20 shots at goal - have to learn how to “manage” games better when they are in front.

“When you go 3-1 up, you expect to win the game,” he said. “But that is where we have to work on, getting things right and not trying to win it four or 5-1.

“The boys are very young and very willing. They will learn because they are a great bunch.”

Gillingham, who ended Peter Taylor’s 14-month managerial reign on New Year’s Eve, are five points behind City in 14th and six clear of the drop zone.

But like so many in League One, home form remains a concern.

The Kent side have lost only one in seven on the road since Edinburgh left Newport to take charge in February. But they have taken only two points from the last four games at Priestfield Stadium.

Edinburgh warned: “Fans are coming in their numbers and they deserve better. We can’t hide from that, we can’t shirk our roles and responsibilities.”