Two early goals at the KRBS Priestfield Stadium were enough to see the Gills win all three points in an entertaining game against Bournemouth.A long range strike from Andrew Crofts and Simeon Jackson's first goal for the club put the home side two up before Jo Kuffour replied for the visitors. Derek Stillie produced a wonderful penalty save to ensure a first victory in six for Gillingham.
Manager Mark Stimson sent out a much changed team from last week's defeat to Crewe and they started on the front foot.Simeon Jackson, restored to the starting line-up, showed a sign of things to come as he took Miller's second minute pass to the left of the area, but couldn't test Bournemouth's David Forde in goal with a shot that rolled wide.
The Gills continued their good start as a John Nutter free kick was met by Dennis Oli, who directed his header over the visitors' goal.Nutter himself had an opportunity in the 8th minute as Miller crossed to him in the area, his left-footed toe poke was deflected over for a corner.
Just sixty seconds later however, the Gills took the lead. Simeon Jackson neatly laid the ball off to an unmarked Andrew Crofts, who was given time outside the area, and demonstrated his long-range threat once again as a powerful swerving shot from 25 yards baffled Forde and hit the back of the net.
Bournemouth had few opportunities in the opening twenty minutes, but Shaun Cooper did curl a free kick over the bar after Mark Bentley had been booked for a mistimed tackle on Brett Pitman just outside the area.
Simeon Jackson illustrated how his movement can be an asset to the Gills in the 23rd minute as he collected a flick-on by Oli.He proceeded to race into the Bournemouth area, but a heavy touch took him wider than necessary and his resulting shot was fired straight at a grateful Forde.
£150k signing Jackson did not have to wait much longer to open his account for his new team however. Just three minutes later saw a similar move, this time Miller providing the through ball for the former Rushden striker to latch onto. He fought his way into the penalty area and slid the ball through the onrushing 'keeper's legs from the edge of the six yard box.
It took just over a minute for Bournemouth to get themselves back into the game after a lack of concentration from the Gillingham defence.Good work from Max-Alain Gradel enabled him to put in a cross for an unmarked Jo Kuffour to poke home at the far post in the 28th minute. This rocked the home side and a further chance was wasted by 18 year-old Sam Vokes as he headed over from a 30th minute corner.
Despite seeingJackson header go over, the Gills were pleased to go in at half time with their one goal lead in-tact as the visitors began to dominate the game, with the eye-catchingGradelseeing a couple of efforts go off target.
The second half saw fewer chances for the home team, with the referee becoming the subject of attention.A penalty shout from Simeon Jackson was turned down in the 57th minute, as he was bundled off the ball in the area. Jackson was a menace the whole match and later saw a rasping left footed drive saved smartly down to Forde's left.
To the bemusement of the majority of the 6540 fans at Priestfield, referee Mr Russell awarded a spot-kick to The Cherries with little over ten minutes left to play. Highly rated striker Vokes was onside as he darted into the Gillingham box, coming up against defender Garry Richards. Vokes went down easily as soon as contact was made, and the big defender can feel harshly done-by as Rusell pointed to the spot. Justice was done, however as Derek Stillie produced a marvellous save low to his right to keep out Gradel's powerful shot.
The Scot, in for an injured Simon Royce, pulled off another great stop to keep his side in front as Jo Kuffour hit a low drive. Stillie's strong wrist kept the deflected shot out, and Gillingham stayed in front.
Bournemouth threatened in the closing stages, but Gradel, Kuffour and Vokes struggled to break down a determined defence marshalled by the returning Danny Cullip.The cheers around Priestfield at the final whistle showed the fans' delight at a well-earned victory, and signal thehope that Gillingham can still find the form to maintain their League One status.
