Gills defender Matt Lawrence challenges for the ball Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

One goal was enough for Gillingham to down Aldershot at Priestfield on Monday.

Danny Jackman put the Gills ahead early in the second half, but the hosts were reduced to 10 men with an hour gone when Joe Martin picked up a second booking.

The disadvantage failed to deter the Gills and they saw the game out to take maximum points.

The first 45 minutes were far from inspiring, although the majority of the goalmouth chances did fall the way of the hosts.

Finding the target was Gillingham’s problem in the opening half and their only on-target shot came from Garry Richards. Visiting keeper Ross Worner tipped the effort over the bar.

Fellow defender Matt Lawrence headed wide and shots from lone-striker Danny Kedwell and Chris Whelpdale also failed to trouble keeper Worner.

Curtis Weston’s long range shot was deflected wide and from the resulting corner Andy Frampton should have done better with a free header, but sent the effort over the bar.

Just before the break Gills left-back Martin was caught napping on the ball and after being dispossessed by Jermaine McGlashan, his team-mate Luke Guttridge blasted wide.

Gillingham, now without Jo Kuffour, were reliant on playing balls up to Kedwell. He was playing as the sole striker with midfielders Whelpdale and Weston playing either side of him.

The Gills made a great start to the second half. Weston and Kedwell seemed to get in each other’s way in the area but the ball fell to Jackman and he picked his spot with a great low strike to put the hosts 1-0 up.

A good chance at the other end fell to Guttridge but he couldn’t keep his header down, when unchallenged, from Scott Davies’ corner.

The Gills had to play with 10 men for the last half hour when Martin was sent off for a second bookable offence. His first foul had come as early as the second minute and the second, for a mistimed tackle on McGlashan, came on the hour mark.

A defence-splitting pass from Greg Pearson for Aldershot handed Davies a great chance with 20 minutes left, but he was denied as Ross Flitney raced off his line to block the shot.

Flitney needed to be alert moments later to tip Peter Vincenti’s shot over the bar as the visitors sensed a way back into the match.

From another Aldershot corner Lawrence did well to block Guttridge’s powerful effort.

The Gills were forced to defend doggedly in the latter stages but Aldershot were unable to find a way through.

Gillingham: Flitney, Martin, Lawrence, Frampton, Richards, J Payne, Jackman, Whelpdale, Montrose, Weston (Lee 83mins), Kedwell. Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Rance, S Payne, Miller.

Aldershot: Worner, Herd, Straker, Vincenti, Doig (Brown 45mins), Guttridge, Davies, McGlashan, Rodman (Henry 85mins), Pearson, Rankine (Smith 45mins). Subs not used: Young, Day.

Attendance: 5,432

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