Gillingham fell to a 2-1 defeat at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium as Ronan Hale's first-half penalty was cancelled out by two second-half Bristol Rovers goals.
Gareth Ainsworth made one change to the side that lost against Swindon, as Andy Smith returned to the starting XI in the place of Shad Ogie, who dropped to the bench.
Ellis Harrison had the first opportunity of the game when he tried his luck from distance. However, his low drive went well wide of the target.
In the 15th minute, Gillingham were awarded a penalty. Remeao Hutton lofted a cross from the left deep into the penalty area in the direction of Omar Beckles, who was competing with Riley Harbottle, and the Bristol Rovers man appeared to handle the ball, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Hale drilled his shot into the bottom left corner, and despite Brad Young guessing the correct way, it squeezed beyond the goalkeeper.
Jake Turner did well to deny Harrison in the 24th minute. Tommy Leigh fizzed a cross into the box from the right-hand side, finding Harrison, who did well to guide his header goalward. It was going towards the bottom corner, but Turner got across to palm it away before gathering the loose ball.
The visitors had a good opportunity on the stroke of half-time. Richie Smallwood’s free-kick was headed back towards the penalty spot and was allowed to drop. Kofi Balmer struck it goalward, but Max Clark was on hand to block the attempt.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 1-0 Bristol Rovers
Alfie Kilgour scored in the opening moments of the second-half. Ryan de Havilland lofted a cross into the penalty area, finding Kilgour, who had peeled away from his marker. The Bristol Rovers captain headed across the goal, and Turner pushed it onto the post. The ball then bounced onto the line, and Sam Gale cleared it away, but the linesman believed that the ball had crossed the line, and the goal was awarded.
Hutton tried his luck from around 25 yards out, with a left-footed low drive. It had plenty of power, but was straight at Young, who gathered at the second attempt.
In the 59th minute, Gillingham were forced into their first change. Andy Smith, who had received treatment earlier in the half following a collision, could not continue when he put in a sliding challenge, and was replaced by Shad Ogie.
In the 72nd minute, Harrison gave the visitors the lead. The forward initially found himself through on goal, but was denied by Turner, who had closed the angle. The rebound came out to Luke Thomas, who tried to find the opposite bottom corner. Turner saved again, but the rebound sat nicely for Harrison to thump home.
Harrison nearly scored his second soon after. Yusuf Akhamarich’s shot deflected high into the air, and Turner went to claim it, but Harrison got ahead of him to head goalward. Fortunately, it looped over the crossbar.
Moments later, Gillingham made a triple substitution, as Seb Palmer-Houlden, Sam Vokes and Garath McCleary replaced Clark, Josh Andrews and Harry Waldock respectively.
Joel Senior did well to get a shot away with five minutes remaining. The Rovers defender kept his balance after shaking off a challenge inside the penalty area before aiming his strike towards the far corner from a tight angle. However, Turner held onto the attempt.
Bradley Dack tried his luck after going short for a corner at the start of the ten minutes of stoppage time. However, his low curling effort proved a simple save for Young at his near post.
Armani Little was sent off for a second bookable offence in the closing moments after kicking the ball away after the referee had already blown his whistle.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 1-2 Bristol Rovers
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, A. Smith (Ogie 59’), Beckles, Gale, Clark (Palmer-Houlden 77’), Little, Waldock (McCleary 78’), Dack, Hale, Andrews (Vokes 77’)
Unused Substitutes: Morris, J. Williams, Rowe
Bristol Rovers: Young, Senior, Sparkes (de Havilland 46’), Kilgour, Mola, Balmer, Harrison (Quigley 82’), Leigh (Akhamrich 46’), Harbottle (Thomas 46’), Cavegn (Thompson-Sommers 46’), Smallwood
Unused Substitutes: Southwood, Lockyer
Referee: Charles Breakspear
Attendance: 5764 (444)
