Another away day ends in frustrating defeat as Lewis Guy's second half strike condemns the Gills to defeat at Boundary Park.

With Simeon Jackson still ruled out with a hamstring issue and Dennis Oli suspended after his dismissal against MK Dons, Mark Stimson handed Chris Dickson a return to the starting XI, playing alongside Rene Howe in a 4-4-2 formation.

Gillingham survived an early scare as Garry Richards failed to cut-out a ball over the top, Abbott collected and sent Guy through on goal but Nutter raced across to cover, stealing the ball off the forward's toe on the edge of the penalty box.

A well worked 12th minute corner gave Adam Miller a sight of goal but his shot was blocked, the ball was quickly cleared to Lewis Guy who beat Stuart Lewis for pace but was denied by the quick reactions of Alan Julian.

Three minutes later, a neat passing move involving Nutter and Miller gave Andy Barcham space to let fly from the left of goal, former Gill Dean Brill was equal to the challenge though.

The visitor's bright opening unsettled the home support but they were given hope in the 23rd minute as Stephens tested the Gills custodian with a low drive from distance. Soon after Guy found the net on the half hour but was ruled offside.

Oldham were in the ascendancy as the half wore on and were unlucky in the 38th minute as Chris Taylor's excellent run and cross from the touchline was pushed to safety by Julian, somehow contriving to palm the ball away from several lurking Latics shirts.

Then, five minutes from the interval, Sean Gregan was booked for a clumsy challenge on Miller, Nutter floated the resulting free-kick on to the head of Howe, whose looping finish landed on the roof of the net.

HT 0-0

Three minutes after the restart, second half sub Danny Whitaker fired a warning shot for the Latics, beating Julian with a curling strike that drifted the wrong side of the far post.

Moments later, Chris Dickson earned the wrath of his Manager, collecting a long pass from Jackman in acres of space, he lashed wildly into the stands without testing Dean Brill. Not surprisingly the striker was replaced by James Walker soon after.

Seconds after the substitution the Latics opened the scoring. Dale Stephens pounced on a stray ball in midfield and threaded in Lewis Guy to place his finish beyond Julian and into the far corner. Things could have got worse still within minutes but Pawel Abbott's shot on the turn flashed wide of the near post.

Gillingham struggled to regain their composure and were opened up again down the left by Taylor soon after, fortunately Abbott nodded over from the winger's cross.

As the visitors pushed for a way back into the match, Rene Howe was booked for a needless kick-out at Sean Gregan. While Abbott found space to blister the crossbar with another long range strike as the gaps began to appear at either end.

On 78 minutes, a drop-ball just outside the Oldham box allowed Miller to stab the ball through to Barcham in the box but it just would not fall for the lively forward and Oldham were able to effect a clearance.

The Gills set seige to the Oldham area in the closing stages and went close with a long range effort from Stuart Lewis but their efforts proved futile as Oldham ground out the result.

Attendance: 3486 (263 Gillingham)

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Stuart Lewis, Garry Richards, Darren Dennehy, John Nutter, Adam Miller, Curtis Weston, Danny Jackman, Andy Barcham, Rene Howe, Chris Dickson (James Walker 58).

Subs not used: Simon Royce, Barry Fuller, Kevin Maher, Mark Bentley, Josh Gowling, Jack Payne.

Oldham Athletic: Dean Brill, Jon Worthington (Danny Whitaker 46), Reuben Hazell, Pawel Abbott (Tom Eaves 80), Lewis Guy, Sean Gregan, Chris Taylor, Kieran Lee, Dale Stephens, Paul Black, Kirk Millar (Alex Marrow 86)

Subs not used: Hasney Aljofree, Ryan Brooke, Josh Ollerenshaw, Joe Colbeck.