Gillingham fell to their second consecutive League One defeat with a 1-0 loss to AFC  Bournemouth. A solitary first-half goal from Brett Pitman the only thing separating the two sides. The Cherries took the lead in the 37th minute when James Henry danced past three Gills players and aimed a shot for the far corner. Keeper Simon Royce could only parry the ball away and into the path of Pitman who finished from close range.

The game was open throughout the 90 minutes with both teams creating a whole host of chances. It was the The Gills, however, who looked to play the better football and began working the ball nicely between themselves, patiently waiting for their chances to come. Their first came in the shape of Adam Miller who, on 7 minutes, worked some space for himself just outside of the box but couldn't keep his effort on target. The Cherries, who had not won at home all season, reataliated immediately and, on 13, Simon Royce was called into action when he made excellent reaction save from a fierce volley from midfielder Scott Golbourne.

Soon after skipper Andrew Crofts had the whole of the home support breathing a sigh of relief when he received the ball from a Nicky Southall pass. Crofts, who is still looking for his first goal of the season, controlled the ball on the edge of the area and hit a well placed shot that looked to be curling into the far post but it seemed to move away at the last minute and agonisingly hit the outside of the post.

The game was now end-to-end and it was the turn of Bournemouth to come close to taking the lead. The ball was allowed to drop in the box from and outswinging corner and was pounced upon by the Cherries players, but a double goal line save and an excellent point blank stop from Royce denied the Bournemouth attack. However, the Gills luck did not last for long as James Henry, a constant thorn in the side of the Stimson's men all afternoon, surged through the defence and struck a difficult shot towards goal. Royce did well to make a save but could only parry it into the path of Brett Pitman who reacted quickest to stroke the ball home.

Gillingham should have levelled the scores minutes later when Miller was put through after some neat interchance football from Chris Dickson and Nicky Southall. However the young attacking midfielder, who was one-on-one with the keeper, failed to keep his calm and blasted high over the bar.

Those that have followed the Gills throughout the season would have no doubt had the memories of the thrilling come-backs entering their minds going into the second half and the Gills started brightly in eager search of a quick equaliser. On 51 Gillingham created their first real chance when a dangerous cross from Stuart Thurgood was met by Dennis Oli 15-yards out, but his floated header sailed harmlessly into the arms of Stewart in the home goal.

Even with the pressure being applied onto their defence Bournemouth always looked like a threat and almost took the lead just short of the hour mark when Hollands hit an excellent drive straight at the right-hand upright, fortunately it came crashing off the post and into the willing arms of Gills keeper Simon Royce.

It was Chris Dickson who was next to hold his head in his hands when he saw his effort cleared off the line. The young striker, playing in his penultimate game for the Gills and looking for his 12th goal of the season, bulldozed his way through the defence and, after having his intial shot saved, attempted a clever back-heel which was cleared just off the line by two scrambling defenders. From our position it looked like it just crept over but it was too close to call and the linesman probably made the right decision in giving the benefit of the doubt to the defence.

The end of the game was a tense affair and Bournemouth came close again when, on 77 minutes, Royce was called upon to make another fine save. Brett Pitman picked the ball up 20 yards from goal and curled a peach of a shot that looked certain for the top corner, however Royce managed to get a fingertip to it and tipped it onto the post. 

Unfortunately for the Super Blues their final flourish was too little too late and they could not find their way through a stubborn Cherries defence. AFC Bournemouth have now climbed off the bottom of the table and will be much the happier side, but the Gills showed encouraging signs and will take a lot of heart from their efforts. The football played at some moments in the game was simply terrific and deserved more, but it is the end result that matters and sadly Gillingham were on the wrong end of the final scoreline.

Corners:

AFC Bournemouth - 4

Gillingham - 3

Cautions:

Attendance: 4746 

Substitutes: 13 Ryan Pryce; 16 Marvin Bartley; 17 Max-Alain Gradel; 20 Jem Karacan; 23 Lee Bradbury

Gillingham - 12 Simon Royce; 19 Sean Clohessy; 8 Mark Bentley; 5 Simon King; 3 Craig Armstrong; 11 Nicky Southall; 32 Stuart Thurgood; 7 Andrew Crofts (c); 28 Dennis Oli; 36 Adam Miller; 26 Chris Dickson

Substitutes: 10 Delroy Facey on for Southall 64 minutes, 30 Leroy Griffiths on for Dickson 75 minutes

18 Craig Stone; 22 Derek Stillie; 31 Adam Bygrave

Referee- Mr Paul Armstrong

Assistants - Mr S Hooper and Mr S Knapp

Fourth Official - Mr D Belvin

Cautions:

Bournemouth: James Henry 67 minutes

Gillingham: