Jamie Cureton's first half strike was enough to secure all three points for Swindon and condemn Gills, who finished the game with 10-men, to another away defeat.

The goal came in the 27th minute when Cureton latched onto Lee Peacock's cross before cleverly lobbing Jason Brown from the edge of the box.

Gills pushed on in search of an equaliser but were dealt a crucial blow just three minutes into the second half when their main attacking threat saw red.

Darren Byfield chased a long ball up field, Swindon keeper Rhys Evans collected while Byfield's momentum carried him into Evans knocking the ball out of his hands. For his trouble Byfield was incredibly sent off by referee Mr. S Mathieson.

Ronnie Jepson once again had to re-shuffle his pack after Neil Harris pulled out of training ahead of the game. Gary Mulligan came in for Harris for his first start while Michael Flynn and Ian Cox returned from suspension to replace Daniel Spiller and Chris Hope respectively. Alan Pouton was also expected to return from suspension but he also picked a knock in training.

Although Gills got off to a good start with plenty off passing and move they failed to threaten the home goal. Possession counted for nothing as Swindon looked the sharper in the final third.

In truth Gills didn't record one clear-cut opportunity in the opening 30 minutes. By this time the Robins had fully warmed up with a number of chances. Flynn did have an early corner kick plucked from the air by Evans in the Robins goal but he was relatively untroubled throughout.

By contrast Cureton had seen a decent effort go just over the bar from 18-yards before Peacock saw a similar chance from outside the box also fly just over Brown's crossbar.

When the goal came it was no surprise that the pair were to be involved. With 27 minutes on the clock Cureton latched onto Peacock's cross before cleverly lobbing Brown from the edge of the box.

Gills had a good chance to get straight back in the match just four minutes later but Tommy Black's effort from fully 25-yards whizzed inches wide of the target.

Straight up the other end Cureton sent another effort over the bar before Brown was booked for handling outside the area. Minutes later Brown saved well to deny Stefani Miglioranzi, who had come on for the injured Paul Smith.

Further chances fell to the home side before the break. Cureton shot well wide from distance before Jack Smith forced Brown into a save from the edge of the box.

Gills had a nightmare start to the second half losing striker Darren Byfield to a straight red card on 48 minutes. Byfield chased a long ball up field, Swindon keeper Rhys Evans collected while Byfield's momentum carried him into Evans knocking the ball out of his hands. For his trouble Byfield was incredibly sent off by referee Mr. S Mathieson.

Gills had to dig in for the minutes that followed as the home side threw everything but the kitchen sink forward. Andrew Nicholas struck wide from 20-yards and Peacock somehow missed the target with a volley from 12-yards.

Brown was then on hand to save on three occasions. He blocked a shot from Ricky Shakes on the hour mark, watched Jack Smith's effort fly by his right hand post and on 72 minutes saved to deny Cureton a second goal of the evening. He then saved to deny Miglioranzi from just outside the box.

With 13 minutes remaining Jepson threw on Spiller for Cochrane hoping fresh legs would change the game in favour of his side. Gills continued to battle for the ball but couldn't find a way through to goal and that valuable equaliser.

Swindon were in no mood to roll over as they continued to threaten. Peacock in particular had been a real thorn in the Gills side and he was shooting at every opportunity. Brown though stood tall to thwart his efforts and three minutes from time showed complete class pulling off a fantastic save to deny Cureton once more.

As the game drew to a close Gills conjured up a couple of half chances. Michael Flynn missed the target from distance, while Gary Mulligan missed the target with a left-footed strike from inside the box.

Despite their best efforts Gills were unable to find an equaliser and will be desperately disappointed to have come away from the City Ground pointless.

Swindon Town: Evans, Jack Smith, Nicholas, Ifil, O'Hanlon, Shakes (Roberts, 78), Paul Smith (Miglioranzi, 38), Gurney, Brown, Peacock, Cureton.
Subs: Jenkins, Bulman, Jarrett.

Gillingham: Brown,Clohessey, Jackman, Cox, Johnson, Black, Cochrane (Spiller, 77), Flynn, Crofts, Mulligan, Byfield (Sent Off 48).
Subs: Crichton, Hope, Shields, Rose.

Bookings: Evans (Swindon), Clohessy (Gillingham)

Sent Off: Byfield

Attendance: 5,530