Simeon Jackson chips home Gillingham's winner from the penalty spot against Yeovil Picture Barry Goodwin

Simeon Jackson’s early penalty handed Gillingham a deserved three points against Yeovil on Tuesday night.

Gillingham made an electric start to the game and it was no surprise to see them going a goal ahead early on.

Jackson, who was back in the starting eleven for the League 1 match, netted from the spot with nine minutes gone after Febian Brandy had been bundled over by Stefen Stam.

It was Jackson’s fifth penalty conversion of the season and 12 goal in total.

Gillingham had numerous chances but as they failed to take advantage Yeovil remained in the game. Their efforts weren’t helped, however, with the sending off of Jean-Paul Kalala late on.

There were tense moments as Yeovil threatened late on to nick a point but in the end Gillingham surivived to claim the win.

Gills boss Mark Stimson said: "It could have been a few more had it not been for the Yeovil keeper who I thought was absolutely outstanding. He pulled off at least two or three certain goals.

"Full credit to the players, they started off really sharp, they wanted to pass the ball and get it wide and Simeon Jackson put the penalty away with pure class.

"Fair play to him because he’s missed the last couple but he stood up and took responsibility and put us on the way to a very important victory."

Yeovil keeper Alex McCarthy was keeping his side in the game as he denied Brandy in the opening moments and made two saves to thwart a fired-up Jackson.

Andy Barcham then saw his shot parried away before the Brandy crashed an effort against the crossbar after 22 minutes.

Gillingham continued their relentless assault on the Yeovil goal and Barcham curled a shot from inside the area just wide. The home side’s dominance prompted Yeovil into an early substitution as they sought to stem the tide before it became too late.

McCarthy came to his side’s aid again on the half-hour with a double save, firstly parrying Brandy’s low shot and then blocking the follow up from Chris Palmer.

Yeovil’s first sniff at goal came moments later but substitute Sam Williams sent the effort into the Rainham End.

The visitors came back into the game towards the end of the half, giving Gillingham reason to worry, as Stimson’s side held just a slender lead.

There were less chances at the start of the second half, and the woodwork denied the Gills again after an hour, when skipper Barry Fuller hit the post with a curling free-kick.

Gills keeper Simon Royce was called into action on 74 minutes and had to make a fine one-handed save to tip William’s header over the bar.

Two yellow cards in seven minutes for Yeovil’s Kalala ended his evening early, with the second challenge coming late on Kevin Maher with 11 minutes left.

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Palmer, Gowling, Fry, Bentley, Maher, Weston, Barcham, Brandy (Oli 90mins), Jackson. Subs not used: Lewis, Julian, Nutter, Rooney, Payne, McCammon.

Yeovil: McCarthy, Alcock, Stam, Caulker, Welsh (Bowditch 60mins), Mason, Murray (Williams 26mins), Kalala, Hutchins, MacDonald, Obika (Obika 78mins). Subs not used: Forbes, O'Callaghan, Martin, Smith.

Attendance: 4,450