Grimsby Town scored three second-half goals as Gillingham fell to a 4-1 defeat at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
Gareth Ainsworth made two changes from the midweek draw with Port Vale, as Robbie McKenzie returned to the starting XI. Garath McCleary also came into the side, with Ethan Coleman and Tom Eaves dropping to the bench.
Bradley Dack was named among the substitutes.
Harvey Rodgers blasted Grimsby in front with a stunning strike after seven minutes. The hosts cleared a cross, but it sat nicely for Rodgers, who was able to run onto it unchallenged. The defender struck it first-time from 25 yards out, with his shot flying into the top left corner, leaving a fully stretched Ollie Wright with no hope of keeping it out.
In the 23rd minute, Jack Daley tried his luck from distance. He carried the ball into the Grimsby half before playing a quick one-two with Ronan Hale. The Middlesbrough loanee shifted it onto his right foot before shooting from a central position. However, the shot was too central, as Christy Pym got down to save and gather at the second attempt.
Wright did well to push Vernam’s attempt around the post soon after. The Grimsby forward was able to move the ball onto his right foot before curling a shot goalward from distance. His attempt took a deflection, which caused it to dip as it was going towards the goal. Wright reacted quickly, scrambling across to push it around the post for a corner.
From the resulting corner, Andy Cook had a great chance. Vernam sent a low delivery towards the penalty spot, allowing Cook to peel away and meet it unchallenged. Fortunately, his shot took a deflection, sending it wide of the target.
A James Brophy corner caused a moment of panic for Pym in the Grimsby goal. His inswinging set piece was helped goalward by the wind, which caught the visiting goalkeeper out. However, it struck the crossbar before going behind.
In the 34th minute, Rodgers tried his luck again. The defender received the ball and was allowed to carry it towards the box. He then opted to shoot, with his attempt flying towards the top left corner. Fortunately, it cleared the crossbar on that occasion.
Hale brought the Gills back on level terms in the 37th minute. Nick Freeman’s quick throw went to McCleary, who brought the ball inside before playing an excellent left-footed through ball in behind the Grimsby defence. Hale timed his run perfectly to get on the end of it before sending a low drive from a tight angle into the far bottom left corner.
Andy Smith nearly turned the game on its head moments later. McCleary’s cross found the central defender, who was unmarked, and he sent his diving header goalward. Unfortunately, it went just wide of the right-hand post.
Wright did well to deny Iwan Morgan. The visitors took advantage of a wayward pass as the ball was played into Morgan, who was inside the box. He turned before drilling a shot towards the near bottom corner. However, Wright did well to get down and push it behind.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 1-1 Grimsby Town
Conor McManus was inches away from giving the hosts the lead after the restart. The ball was played out to Freeman, who saw McKenzie making a bursting run down the right. He played it forward for the midfielder, who played an excellent low ball across the edge of the six-yard box. It just missed the sliding Hale, but McManus met it at the back post. However, he could not keep his right-footed attempt down, as it went just over the target.
The visitors were awarded a penalty in the 52nd minute. Kieran Green managed to get goal side before making a bursting run into the penalty area with Armani Little in tow. The Gills midfielder ended up dragging Green down, with the referee pointing to the spot.
From the resulting penalty, Morgan restored The Mariners’ lead. He stepped up and drilled it down the middle with Wright going down to his left.
Rodgers had a good chance when a free-kick that was lofted deep into the penalty area found him unmarked. However, his header was straight at Wright, who caught it.
In the 64th minute, Geza Turi made it three from close range. Green played a smart one-two with Turi, which allowed him to get in down the right side of the penalty area. Green’s attempted cutback was deflected, but it sat nicely for the oncoming Turi to prod home from six yards out.
Gillingham made a double substitution minutes later. Eaves and Sheldon Kendall entered the game, replacing McCleary and Freeman.
Sonny Finch added a fourth in the 71st minute. Turi played a smart ball in behind the Gills defence, and Finch managed to get himself on the end of it with nobody in the vicinity and made no mistake.
The visitors somehow failed to add a fifth. The ball dropped to Andrews, who saw his shot from six yards out well saved. The rebound sat perfectly for Green, who struck the post from a couple of yards out before it went out of play.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 1-4 Grimsby Town
Gillingham: Wright, Smith, Beckles, Daley, Freeman (Kendall 67’), Little (Coleman 79’), McKenzie, McManus, McCleary (Eaves 66’), Brophy, Hale
Unused Substitutes: Luthra, Dack, Waldock, Dobbs
Grimsby Town: Pym, Kacurri, Green (Doyle 81’), Rodgers, Walker (F. Cartwright 81’), Morgan (Andrews 72’), Fulkes, Amaluzor (Finch 55’), Turi (Shelton 72’), Vernam, Cook
Unused Substitutes: H. Cartwright, Reynolds
Referee: Sam Mulhall
Attendance: 5665 (438)
