Gillingham continued their excellent home form with a hard fought win over Oldham in trying conditions.

Mark Stimson made two enforced changes due to the absence of Jackson and Fuller with Kevin Maher and John Nutter coming in to a 4-5-1 formation.

With swirling winds making conditions difficult for both sides, this was not the best afternoon for neat passing football though Gillingham arguably coped better in the first half.

On 12 minutes Chris Palmer drew the first save of the match with a curling free-kick straight down the throat of keeper Flahavan.

Midway through the half Andy Barcham was sent away on the left by Weston and got the better of Hazell with a clever flick, he crossed for Brandy but his effort was blocked by Sean Gregan.

John Nutter blazed into the Rainham End shortly after the half hour while Nick Blackman headed high and wide at the other end. Then 10 minutes before the interval Curtis Weston struck the angle of post and bar with a curling effort that deserved to go in.

Five minutes later Whitaker was unlucky with a looping effort that came off Gowling before drifting over the crossbar. Seconds later Blackman's angled drive grazed the cross bar as the Latics finished the second half strongly.

HT 0-0

After the restart conditions continued to spoil the game until the referee awarded a penalty for Gregan's foul on Brandy. With Jackson on international duty Curtis Weston took the honours dispatching a powerful finish into the bottom corner.

Soon after Gillingham could have doubled their lead as Barcham pounced on a poor clearance and struck the crossbar with a 20 yard curling drive.

Oldham's best response came in the 76th minute as Furman volleyed Maher's clearance goalwards but the experienced custodian held it safely.

Three minutes from time Weston was brought down on route to goal, John Nutter took the free-kick and was inches over with his curling strike.

Gillingham survived an additional four minutes added time to secure a very welcome three points.

Attendance: 4787 (135 away fans)

Gillingham: Simon Royce, Chris Palmer, Josh Gowling, Matt Fry, John Nutter, Mark Bentley, Curtis Weston, Kevin Maher, Stuart Lewis (Dennis Oli 83), Andy Barcham, Febian Brandy

Subs not used: Andy Pugh, Alan Julian, Rashid Yussuff, Luke Rooney, Jack Payne, Mark McCammon

Oldham Athletic: Darryl Flahavan, Lee Hills, Andy Holdsworth, Reuben Hazell, Danny Whitaker (Keigan Parker 72), Deane Smalley (Ryan Brooke 82), Dean Furman, Sean Gregan, Chris Taylor (Joe Colback 90), Alex Marrow, Nick Blackman.

Subs not used: Dean Brill, Joe Jacobson, Kieron Lee, Paul Black.