Gillingham extended their home winning run to three games with a hard fought victory of Port Vale in glorious sunshine at the krbs Priestfield Stadium.

Mark Stimson gave a debut to on loan Tottenham Striker Andy Barcham who partnered Simeon Jackson in place of the suspended Mark McCammon.

Managerless Port Vale made a strong start to the match with Shane Tudor and Marc Richards both spurning good early chances before the Gills took control of proceedings.

The home sides first chance arrived on 15 minutes after Charlie Daniels short corner caused panic in the Vale defence. The loose ball eventually came to John Nutter who drove his shot just wide of the near post.

Moments later, Nutter turned provider finding Andrew Crofts with a free-kick from the right but the Gills skipper headed straight into the arms of Joe Anyon.

With the Gills looking dominant, Charlie Daniels brought applause from the Priestfield faithful on the half hour with a curling drive from the right that flashed narrowly wide of the far post.

Shortly after the Gills took the lead in unlikely circumstances, John Nutter sent a dangerous free-kick into the area and Vale Cente-Back John McCombe headed into his own net to send the Gills in 1-0 up at the break.

The Gills started the second half in lively fashion with Charlie Daniels supplying Andy Barcham down the left side, Barcham beat his man and sent in a promising cross but Simeon Jackson could not climb above his marker.

Charlie Daniels had the Vale keeper scrambling to hold a deflected free-kick on 65 minutes, the left winger was brought down on the edge of the visitor's area but Anyon gathered his shot at the near post.

Moments later at the other end John Nutter was the Gills hero clearing Anthony Griffith's long range effort after a weak clearance from the Gills defence.

Garry Richards should have added a second in the 72nd minute, he climbed above the home defence to meet Daniels corner but the giant Centre-Back couldn't direct his header on target.

With Port Vale pressing to get something from the game, Simon Royce was called upon to make a great stop from Marc Richards 77th minute free-kick.

Gillingham were unlucky again at the other end after Curtis Weston sent Simeon Jackson clear, the Canadian striker broke clear down the right side and beat Anyon at his near post, only to see his shot rebound off the upright.

With time running out Andrew Crofts forced another save from keeper Anyon with a low drive from the edge of the area but the Gills had done enough to claim the points.

Man of the Match: Andy Barcham

Gillingham: Simon Royce, Barry Fuller, Garry Richards, Simon King, John Nutter, Mark Bentley, Curtis Weston (85 Albert Jarrett), Andrew Crofts (c), Charlie Daniels, Andy Barcham (90 Luis Cumbers), Simeon Jackson.

Subs: Andy Pugh, Alan Julian, Leigh Mills.

Port Vale: Joe Anyon, Sam Stockley, John McCombe, Luke Prosser, Shane Tudor (70 James Lawrie), Anthony Griffith, Simon Richman (50 Louis Dodds), Ross Davidson, Marc Richards (c), Luke Rodgers (83 Kyle Perry), Lee Collins

Subs: Chris Martin, David Howland.