Bradley Dack’s first-half goal was cancelled out by two second half Fleetwood Town goals as Gills suffered a 2-1 defeat at Highbury Stadium.
Gareth Ainsworth made one change to the starting XI that drew against Barrow, with Andy Smith returning to the side in the place of Ethan Coleman, who dropped to the bench. Jonny Smith was fit enough to join the other six subs.
There was a late change to the Gillingham line-up though with Seb Palmer-Houlden coming into the team in the place of Garath McCleary.
Aaron Rowe had a half-chance in the opening minutes. Remeao Hutton’s long throw into the box was headed as far as Rowe, who was on the edge of the penalty area. He struck the ball first time, but could not make clear contact with it, and he sliced it well over the target.
Bradley Dack gave Gillingham the lead after 14 minutes. Sam Gale’s cross from the right was headed clear as far as Rowe, who found himself on the edge of the penalty area. He tried his luck with a first-time volley, which went into a crowd of players. It was shanked clear by a Fleetwood defender, going into Dack’s path, who sent a side-footed attempt goalward. It took a deflection on its way into the goal as it went past a diving Jay Lynch.
In the 21st minute, Dack attempted a speculative strike. He received the ball 30 yards from the goal with the time and space to set himself before shooting. Unfortunately, his attempt was always rising as it went high and wide of the target.
Palmer-Houlden was inches away from doubling the Gillingham lead in the 40th minute. He did well to keep the ball in play after Armani Little’s through ball before playing it back to Elliott Nevitt. The forward held the ball up before tapping it into the oncoming Little’s path, who cut a low ball back towards Palmer-Houlden. He stroked a first-time effort towards the far corner, with it going just wide of the goal.
The visitors had a huge goal line clearance during stoppage time. A corner from the left was kept alive by Ched Evans, with the ball being put back into a central position with Jake Turner off his line. Finley Potter headed it goalward, but Palmer-Houlden was on the line to make the all-important headed clearance.
HALF-TIME: Fleetwood Town 0-1 Gillingham
Ryan Graydon brought Fleetwood back on level terms in the 53rd minute. Ethan Ennis’ cross from the right was played towards the back post, and Graydon made his way around to meet it unmarked before angling a header into the far corner of the net.
The Fleetwood striker had a great chance to give the hosts the lead five minutes later. Elliot Bonds played a ball in behind the Gillingham defence with the visitors stretched. Graydon raced through before attempting to slide his shot into the far corner. However, Turner had come well off his line to close the angle, saving with his feet before Gillingham cleared their lines.
In the 62nd minute, Dack hit the post. Rowe curled the ball into the penalty area, finding Dack, who flicked the ball on towards the far post. It hit the woodwork before bouncing back into the arms of a grateful Lynch.
Turner got a fingertip to push Ennis’ free-kick over the crossbar shortly after. The ball was positioned to the right of the centre on the edge of the penalty area, and Ennis curled the ball up and over the wall towards the near post. The diving Turner did well to get across and get enough on it to get it over the crossbar for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Lewis McCann came close. The ball in was headed clear as far as McCann, who took the ball onto his left foot before sending a low drive towards the far corner. Fortunately, it went through the crowd of players in the box before whistling wide of the post.
In the 79th minute, Gillingham made their first substitution, as Jonny Smith replaced Palmer-Houlden.
Moments later, the hosts were awarded a penalty. Potter was allowed to run from halfway towards the edge of the Gillingham penalty area before playing it through for Ched Evans, who was brought down.
Evans took the resulting spot kick, but was denied by Turner. The forward directed his penalty towards the bottom left corner, but Turner got down to push the ball around the post for a corner.
The hosts applied plenty of pressure on the Gills goal after the penalty and were rewarded when Zech Medley scored. The ball was played to Evans in space on the left side of the Gillingham penalty area, and he drilled a low ball into the six-yard box. He found Medley, who prodded it home from close range.
The visitors made their second change after the goal, as Coleman replaced Little.
There were five minutes of stoppage time, but the game petered out as the Gills could not find a late equaliser.
FULL-TIME: Fleetwood Town 2-1 Gillingham
Fleetwood Town: Lynch, Ennis, Mullarkey, Potter, Hughes, McCann (Medley 79’), Bonds, Virtue (J. Davies 80’), Helm (Neal 66’), Evans, Graydon (W. Davies 73’)
Unused Substitutes: Harrington, Morrison, Haughey
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Akomeah, Gale, A. Smith, Rowe, McKenzie, Little (Coleman 86’), Dack, Palmer-Houlden (J. Smith 79’), Nevitt
Unused Substitutes: Holtam, Clark, Ogie, J. Williams
Referee: Stephen Parkinson
Attendance: 3001 (261 Gillingham supporters)
