Gillingham look to have blown any chance of survival this season after another late goal held them to a point. Typically, they couldn’t build on a lead, something they’ve been guilty of countless times this season, and they now head to Elland Road next week needing all three points.

Nicky Southall’s early cross sailed in the air long enough to allow Gary Richards to get to the far post and dispatch it past Swindon’s ‘keeper. But chance after chance went begging, and in the 88th minute the away side bundled in from a corner. Gillingham’s support fell silent, unable to take in the possibility of another relegation battle. A win today and the odds would have been in their favour, but a draw makes it likely that they’ll play in the lowest tier of the football league next year.

With that comes financial shortfalls, and those that surround the club will hope that what they saw today isn’t Gillingham’s last home game ever.

The much-hyped Indian Premier League made its debut to television screens worldwide today, but it was Brendon McCullum who provided the real fireworks. In a breath-taking display of sweeping, paddling and blugeoning, McCullum gave the IPL organiser’s the kind of performance they, the advertisters, broadcasters and supporters – billions of dollars worth – have paid to see.

In-between a dazzling open ceremony and and an anti-climactic second innings, McCullum produced a new Twenty20 world record, hitting 158 and carrying his bat in the process. The bowling attack wasn’t light however – Zaheer Kahn, Jacques Kallis and Australian Ashley Noffke provided the ammunition, but McCullum dispatched each with array of leg-side glances, including a fine paddle that only dipped below three feet past the boundary rope. His innings of 10 fours and 13 sixes shadowed anything any other player had to offer, with only team-mate Ricky Ponting reaching 20.

McCullum aside, the game was largely uneventful and the organisers still have a lot to provide the fans. With such a one-sided contest (Kolkata won by a healthy 140 runs, a number considered a decent total in some games) the IPL will hope for closer encounters to follow, but with a number of stars sidelined through injury (including Sachin Tendulkar), enticing matches may not be quick in coming.

There is a fine array of talent in British golf, as shown by the first two rounds at this year’s US Masters, but the majority seem to be missing one thing. Tournament favourite and many time major winner, Tiger Woods, has it, as do all of the winners in any sport. Many of the European players have it. Not the ability, but the right mindset.

While Justin Rose, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter have reached the head of the leaderboard, only Paul Casey has remained up there. The pressure to continue, or even to set the pace (see England Cricket for more examples..) sees the mind buckle and the bogies increase. Woods has returned to the clubhouse on five under par, primed for another major bid tomorrow evening, but his position continues to strengthen as others fall away and drop shots.

Snedeker has hit the water, Casey has fired two over the back and Mickleson has been chipping at broken mirrors in practice, judging on his luck today anyway – with an hour to go, Woods lies three off the lead yet by the end, who knows. Leader? Maybe not this evening, but you wouldn’t bet against it this time tomorrow.