Gillingham's winless streak away from KRBS Priestfield continues after a 2-0 defeat to high-flying Carlisle United at Brunton Park. The game got off to a leisurely start but the home side, playing with an air of confidence, took the lead in the 13th minute when a well delivered corner from the right by Marc Bridge-Wilkinson deceived Simon Royce in the Gills goal. The ball then deflected off helpless defender Ian Cox and trickled over the line with lively striker Joe Garner closing in.

The lead was doubled ten minutes after the break when the gifted Bridge-Wilkinson played the ball to Simon Hackney and he slotted home from 25-yards - albeit after a wicked deflection, which totally deceived Royce.

Gillingham fashioned chances of their own and had a goal ruled out on the half-hour. A well flighted ball into the box by the fit-again Aaron Brown, saw Chris Dickson jump with the keeper. The on-loan Charlton striker headed into the net but the goal was ruled out for a push by the Gills striker. Earlier on, midfielder Mark Bentley saw his speculative drive tipped away at the expense of a corner after good work by the lively Dickson. Trailing by a goal to nil, The Gills continued to test the home defence and eight minutes before the break, Delroy Facey's ball into the box picked out Bentley whose snap shot went over the top. A minute later, Dickson turned on the edge of the box but fired his drive over the top, as it remained 1-0 to Carlisle at half-time.

You always felt the second goal would prove decisive and it proved to be the case. With the Gills threatening to equalise, Hackney's lucky strike on 54 minutes proved a real hammer blow.

Credit to the Gills, they continued to push forward and twenty minutes from time a shot by Southall, from the edge of the box, found its way into the path of King who got a faint touch, but could only put it into the arms of Westwood in the Carlisle goal. Either side of the shot-stopper and the deficit would have been reduced.

Gills caretaker manager Iffy Onuora gambled and used all three of his substitutions on 71 minutes. Gary Mulligan, Craig Stone and David Graham were all introduced at the expense of skipper Andrew Crofts, defender Sean Clohessy and Dickson. Unfortunately the three were unable to make much of an impact despite Gillingham having a fair amount of possession in the final-quarter.

It was home league win number four of the season for Carlisle who must be fancied for promotion under the watchful eye of new manager John Ward. For the Gills, its back to the drawing board and the home comforts of the KRBS Priestfield Stadium ahead of next week's game with Bristol Rovers.

The longest trek of the season is out of the way for you loyal supporters and now Chairman Paul Scally must make his toughest decision of the season, who takes over as the new manager of Gillingham Football Club. Keep an eye on the official website for first news of the imminent appointment.

Carlisle United: 1. Keiren Westwood; 2. David Raven, 5. Danny Livesey (captain), 6. Peter Murphy, 3. Zigor Aranalde; 22. Joe Anyinsah, 8. Chris Lumsdon, 4. Marc Bridge-Wilkinson, 18. Simon Hackney; 14. Joe Garner, 9. Danny Graham

Subs: 7. Kevin Gall on for Anyinsah 71 minutes

Not used: Danny Carlton, Paul Arnison, Neale McDermott and Chris Howarth

Gillingham: 12. Simon Royce; 19. Sean Clohessy, 16. Efe Sodje, 6. Ian Cox, 5. Simon King, 14. Aaron Brown; 8. Mark Bentley, 11. Nicky Southall, 7. Andrew Crofts (captain); 10. Delroy Facey, 26. Chris Dickson

Subs: 9. Gary Mulligan for Dickson, 18. Craig Stone on for Crofts and 20. David Graham on for Clohessy all 71 minutes

Not used: Duncan Jupp and Barry Cogan

Yellow cards:

Carlisle: Garner
Gillingham: Sodje

Referee: Mr D Foster

Corners:     Carlisle: 5     Gillingham 5

Attendance: 6461