A superb second half performance saw the Gills fight back from a goal down to claim a vital three points at the KRBS Priestfield. Two goals from man-of-the-match Simeon Jackson cancelled out Sam Parkin's first half header and keeps Gillingham's survival hopes well and truly alive.

The visitors started the game brightly, but failed to turn attacking possession into any real chances. The first effort of the game fell to Gills striker Dennis Oli, who hit a shot from just outside the area straight at Luton keeper Dean Brill.

Three minutes later, strike partner Jackson held up the ball well in the middle of the park, allowing Oli to have another strike from which the Luton keeper produced another comfortable save.

With 17 minutes gone Luton gained the lead with their first real chance of the game, when Ed Asafu-Adjaye played a long ball over the Gills defence for Hatters striker Sam Parkin to guide a header over stranded Gills keeper Derek Stillie.

The attacking possession continued to move in the visitor's favour when another smart ball by Adjaye was again met by the head of Parkin, who this time watched his effort fall just wide. Moments later, the Gills almost found themselves victims of a mishit shot when Adjaye saw his spooned cross bounce off the top of the crossbar.

On 26 minutes, the Priestfield crowd suspected that the home side had scored the equaliser when Jackson flicked the ball back to Adam Miller, in the centre of the box, only for the midfielder to woefully blast his effort high and wide.

A minute later, Jackson was again the focus of a Gills attack, when he intercepted a strayed pass in the middle of the park to play Miller through, who then opened up space for Oli to produce a great save by Brill and force a corner.

Brill was tested again on 35 minutes, when a quick free kick from Andrew Crofts set John Nutter free on the left, who then provided a low cross into the box for Oli to force the keeper into another save.

Luton almost doubled their lead minutes later when Parkin knocked the ball down to midfielder Matthew Spring, who watched his volley go inches wide.

The second half saw a much needed improvement from the Gills as the fans' voices began to be heard. The early signs were encouraging when Nicky Southall whipped in a dangerous free-kick from the right hand side, only for Mark Bentley to head the ball just over the bar.

The home side continued to dominate and chances were becoming much more frequent. Miller sent a low cross into Jackson who managed to flick his shot just wide of the post.

The Gills consistent pressure nearly paid off after ten minutes, when Jackson found himself through on goal, but he could only power his shot straight at the Luton shot-stopper.

With chances increasing without reward, manager Mark Stimson introduced new signing Georges Ba and striker Leroy Griffiths to help add increased force to the Gills attack.

It did not take long before the big Ivorian striker made an impact. On 74 minutes Ba sent a challenging ball into the Luton area, which the visitors failed to deal with and, after a desperate goalmouth scramble, Bentley forced Brill to parry his header into the path of Griffiths. The substitute smashed the ball back into the mix, it popped up and was met by the flying Jackson to bring the scores level.

Four minutes later, Griffiths almost gave the Gills a deserved lead. Bentley crossed a high ball into the area, but unfortunately Griffiths was off balance and could only send his header wide of the near post.

With time running out to find a winner, Stimson added to his attacking options by introducing another debutant, 19-year old Donovan Simmonds.

With four strikers now on the field, it was clear that the Gills were going for the winner. It came with just four minutes left when Gillingham favourite Nicky Southall whipped in a brilliant ball for Jackson to beat his marker and nod home his second. His brace, and the winner, sent the crowd into raptures and hundreds of fans streamed down from their seats high in the Rainham End to celebrate with the goal hero.

When the final whistle was finally blown, KRBS Priestfield rocked from the cacophony of sound that was produced by the Gillingham faithful. Fans, young and old, congregated by the advertising boards to applaud the team from the field. Emotions were certainly running high as this result makes survival a distinct possibility.

With only a point now separating Gillingham from safety, Saturday's fixture against Millwall will be a vital game if Mark Stimson and his players want to avoid relegation. To book your tickets, please call our GFC Ticket Office on 01634 300 000.

Manager Mark Stimson sends out a unchanged team that earned a draw against Carlisle last weekend. There are, however, two notable inclusions on the bench with new signings Donovan Simmonds and Georges Ba among the substitutes.

Gillingham: 22 Derek Stillie, 37 Garry Richards, 4 Danny Cullip, 5 Simon King, 11 Nicky Southall, 35 John Nutter, 8 Mark Bentley, 7 Andrew Crofts, 36 Adam Miller, 28 Dennis Oli, 20 Simeon Jackson

Subs: 13 Chris Kiely, 30 Leroy Griffiths, 38 Barry Fuller, 24 Georges Ba, 2 Donovan Simmonds

Luton: 1 Dean Brill, 38 Ed Asafu-Adjaye, 26 Sol Davis, 21 Keith Keane, 17 Lewis Emmuel, 4 Don Hutchison, 25 Matthew Spring, 15 Stephen O'Leary, 9 Sam Parkin, 28 Paul McVeigh, 32 Ryan Charles,

Subs: 10 Darren Currie, 20 Calvin Andrew, 14 Steve Robinson, 37 George Beavan, 3 Alan Goodall