BRAD ALL OVER

Johnson, a 23-year-old Hackney kid, fired in the perfect volley after 69 minutes to condemn Gills to the drop in front of a sell-out Elland Road crowd.

Stimson had wanted to sign him from Northampton in January only to see Leeds steal him away for £250,000.

The Gills boss admitted: "Bradley is a proper player and I really wanted him. And what a goal he got for them today."

Even without their 15 deducted points, Leeds went into this game assured of a place in the play-offs.

As it turned out, Gills would still have dropped into League Two even if they had held on to their 1-0 lead.

Stimson added: "Nicky Southall was only inches from getting us an equaliser at the very end, but it wouldn't have made much difference anyway.

"We took the lead, but just couldn't hold on to it. Our performance was as good as several of our efforts recently. But it was too late for us."

Leeds boss Gary McAllister had sympathy for Stimson.

After his side's sixth win out of seven, he said: "We had a good win at the end, but Gills gave it their all and their manager can be proud of them."

Former Rushden striker Simeon Jackson, 21, showed perseverance to give Gills their early lead.

Defender Paul Huntington hesitated over a back pass to Danish keeper Casper Ankergren and Jackson sprinted past them both to score and quieten the 38,256 crowd.

Drive

Johnson's leveller for Leeds came after classy work from substitute Seb Carole. The Frenchman's looping cross from the right fell on to Johnson's right foot and his volley beat Derek Stillie.

Andy Hughes then picked out striker Tresor Kandol and the Congo international hit a great diagonal drive for the Leeds winner.

McAllister added: "In the first half we were off the pace, outrun and out tackled — but we were better after the break.

"It's a horrible day for Gillingham and no words will console them."

Stimson said: "In recent games we put in the performances and just haven't come away with the points.

"I don't know why we concede after taking the lead. Maybe we need more physical presence.

"Our chairman came to see the squad after the game and tell them how proud he was of them.

"It's a terrible night, but tomorrow we will stand up, look forward and I hope we'll find the missing pieces in the jigsaw."