Gillingham got off to a winning start in pre-season following a 1-0 win over Dover at Crabble on Tuesday night.
Robbie McKenzie grabbed the winner in first half stoppage time when he found space towards the back post and rifled home a precise effort from just over six yards from goal.
Seb Palmer-Houlden and Conor Masterson went close in the second half but the one goal proved to be sufficient.
Gareth Ainsworth named two separate for XI’s for either half at Crabble. Bradley Dack, McKenzie and Josh Andrews all featured in the opening 45 minutes.
Following the break, Armani Little took to the field along with Masterson, Harry Waldock, Harry Webster and Palmer-Houlden.
Dover made a strong start and nearly took the lead in the fourth minute, but Jake Turner was equal to a low drilled effort from close range. A speculative strike was attempted soon after as Gills lost possession in midfield, but the shot went comfortably wide of the right hand post.
The visitors' first opportunity came on the quarter hour courtesy of a free-kick. Bradley Dack struck it from over 20 yards but narrowly missed the target.
He went closer on 23 minutes; he was given time inside the box to get a shot away but his powerful strike was well saved by the Dover keeper.
Jack Nolan nearly produced the opener on 34 minutes when Gills counter-attacked at pace and Dack produced a pass to the right side where the winger had an area to run into.
Nolan came forward, decided to shoot from 20 yards but missed the target by a matter of inches. A Dover free-kick went just wide shortly after before Bridle forced a routine stop from Walker following some decent play by Hutton on the right wing.
With half-time on the horizon, Gills took the lead. Clark’s free-kick was sent into the mix, it was flicked on and McKenzie was in space at the back post to control and fire home from six yards out into the roof of the net.
H/T: Dover 0-1 Gillingham
The anticipated changes at the break went ahead as planned for the visitors and early strikes from Damien Theodore and Palmer-Houlden were well blocked by the Dover defence.
The former Bristol City man went closer on 72 minutes when Harry Waldock produced a good cross from the right wing. Seb had made a solid run towards the near post and made clear contact, but guided his effort just wide.
Conor Masterson had a header which went close but at the other end Gills proved defensively resolute and controlled the game well to clinch the win.
F/T: Dover 0-1 Gillingham
Dover First Half: Walker, Lukombo, Trialist, Beadle, Trialist, Hanson, Trialist, Matthews, Nikaj, Soares-Junior, Baptiste
Dover Second Half: Trialist, Lukombo, Tennent, Trialist, Trialist, Cocoracchio, Wilkinson, Fiddes, Mampolo, Coker, Sheriff
Gills First Half: Turner, Hutton, Coleman, Ogie, Clark, McKenzie, Dack, Nolan, Wyllie, Bridle, Andrews
Unused subs: Dayal, Luxton
Gills Second Half: Morris, Webster, Gale, Masterson, Trialist, Little, Beszant, Waldock, Theodore, Palmer-Houlden, Gbode
Unused subs: Dayal, Luxton
Referee: Mr I Searle
Attendance: 1225
