The Gills take a huge step towards safety with a great win over the Saints at Priestfield.

With Gillingham's League One status in the balance, Mark Stimson restored leading scorer Simeon Jackson to the starting line-up, partnering Rene Howe up front, with Dennis Oli dropping to the right of midfield.

The visitors were almost gifted a goal in the second minute as Curtis Weston's weak back header sent David Connolly goal side, the forward chose to shoot first time and flashed wide of Julian's near post.

Gillingham's first chance came from Jack Payne's right-wing cross six minutes later. Rene Howe flicked on at the near post but Jackson's far post header was a comfortable height for Davis to make the save.

Jose Fonte collected the games first booking for a foul on Rene Howe, when the Gills striker was clear on the right side of the Saints half. While Saints went close again on 16 minutes, Weston failing to clear a left-wing cross but Julian was able to gather Barnard's effort at the second attempt

Three minutes later Priestfield exploded as Rene Howe put the Gills in front. Saints keeper Kelvin Davis raced out to clear Mark Bentley's deep ball but only succeeded in deflecting it to Howe who slotted his finish into the unguarded net.

The home side continued to look lively and enjoyed the bulk of the possession but had to be satisfied with a single goal for their efforts.

HT 1-0

The Saints made a double substitution at half time and instantly looked a stronger prospect with Rickie Lambert leading their attack.

Gillingham were unlucky not to add a second when Simeon Jackson headed Adam Miller's free-kick against the woodwork in the 50^th minute. But Josh Gowling made amends in spectacular fashion moments later, the ball was played back into the visitor's box and the Gills centre-half powered a header beyond the flailing Davis for 2-0.

Jackson could have made it three eight minutes later when he headed another Miller corner narrowly wide of the Saints far post. The pair combined again in the 61^st minute Jackson, muscling through on goal but could not find the telling finish.

Southampton pulled a goal back in the 65^th minute, Adam Miller dwelled on the ball on the edge of Gillingham's box and was robbed, allowing David Connolly to place a low shot into the bottom-right corner.

Seven minutes later the Saints were on the attack again and only a tip-over at full stretch from Julian prevented Lambert from levelling the scores as the balance of play swung in the visitors favour. Captain Dean Hammond was next to try his luck nodding just wide at the far post from an 81^st minute corner.

Gillingham were firmly on the back foot as the second continued to ebb away leading Stimson to throw on Chris Dickson in a bid to reignite the Gills attack. Moments later Curtis Weston flashed a volley wide as the game moved into four minutes of injury time but the Gills hung on to record a huge victory.

Attendance: 9502 (2176 visitors)

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Jack Payne, Mark Bentley, Josh Gowling, John Nutter, Adam Miller, Curtis Weston, Andy Barcham, Dennis Oli, Rene Howe, Simeon Jackson (Chris Dickson 88).

Subs: Simon Royce, Kevin Maher, Chris Palmer, Danny Jackman, Tom Wynter, Luke Rooney.

Southampton: Kelvin Davis, Jon Otsemobor, Aaron Martin, Jose Fonte (Danny Seaborne 46), Joseph Mills, Dean Hammond, Lloyd James, Adam Lallana (Rickie Lambert 46), Jason Puncheon, Lee Barnard (Papa Waigo N'Diaye 59), David Connolly.