Mark Stimson was forced to make several changes to his starting line-up for the visit of Luton Town. Alan Julian and Leigh Mills made League debuts replacing the injured Simon Royce and Garry Richards, whilst on the wings Stimson handed first starts of the season to Dennis Oli and Tyrone Berry.
The Gills were given a rude awakening as Luton took the lead in the third minute, Chris Martin crossed from the left for Sam Parkin to head past Alan Julian and put the visitors in front. The home side fought to get back into the game but found chances hard to come by against a strong, physical Luton side.
Gillingham had a chance to level in the 22nd minute when Simeon Jackson collected a long pass on the edge of the area but his strike from distance sailed over the bar.
On 40 minutes Tyrone Berry carried the ball down the right wing and raced into the area before picking out Jackson on the near post, the Canadian forward shot on target but saw his effort blocked on the line. Moments later Berry was the provider again, this time crossing for Mark McCammon to head just wide of the Luton goal.
Early in the second half the Gills were unlucky once more as Mark McCammon's far post header was cleared off the line. There followed a series of niggling challenges as the game threatened to boil over before Simeon Jackson fired over from the edge of the area after a great run by John Nutter.
With 20 minutes to go Mark Stimson sent on Gary Mulligan and switched to a 4-3-3 formation. The tactic almost paid off instantly as Mark McCammon crossed from the left of the Luton area for Simeon Jackson to shoot. His initial effort was blocked, and in a chaotic goal mouth scramble, Andrew Crofts, Jackson & Tyrone Berry all had shots on target but somehow Luton survived.
Despite Gillingham's best efforts, the home side could not find the finish they needed and Mark Stimson's men begin their season with a disappointing defeat.
Attendance 5,339
Gillingham: Alan Julian, Barry Fuller, John Nutter, Simon King, Leigh Mills, Tyrone Berry, Dennis Oli (68 Gary Mulligan), Andrew Crofts, Mark Bentley (73 Curtis Weston), Mark McCammon, Simeon Jackson
Subs: Chris Kiely, Adam Miller, Sean Clohessy
Luton Town: Dean Brill, Claude Gnakpa, Sol Davis, Keith Keane (58 Kevin Watson), George Pilkington, Kevin Nicholls, Asa Hall, Michael Spillane, Rossi Jarvis, Sam Parkin, Chris Martin (90 Tristan Plummer)
Subs: Ian Roper, Richard Jackson, Paul McVeigh
50/50 Matchday Lottery Results
1st Prize 124971 wins £475.00
2nd Prize 124700 wins 4 Watch, Wine & Dine
3rd Prize 125398 Signed Shirt
4th Prize 125487 Signed Football
To claim your prize contact reception on 01634 300000
