Danny Kedwell struck twice for Gillingham as a dominant second half display saw off Burton Albion at Priestfield.

Frank Nouble was also on target to make it two goals in two appearances for the on-loan striker.

An even first half ended all-square but the Gills started the second in frantic fashion, scoring twice inside the opening moments.

Burton had two men sent off in the second half as they chased a lead built with goals from Kedwell and Nouble.

Both Aaron Webster and Ryan Austin were dismissed for collecting two bookings each. The Gills had already wrapped the points up though before they made an early exit.

Kedwell had put the Gills ahead with his first of the match on 20 minutes. He headed home Danny Jackman’s free-kick to claim his first goal from open play in Gillingham colours.

That goal ended a good opening spell from the visitors who started the match brighter.

Burton levelled on 40 minutes when Justin Richards turned Gills defender Garry Richards in the box and played the ball across to Billy Kee who headed in.

It was the first time this season that the Gills had conceded in the opening half.

The half ended with a goal-line clearance from Burton defender Andy Corbett after Frank Nouble had wriggled his way into the area and struck low past keeper Ross Atkins.

Just 30 seconds into the second half and the Gills should have gone in front again.

The ball was played into the box by Nouble and Chris Whelpdale needed to pick his spot. The powerful shot was too close to the keeper and he turned the shot over the bar.

That miss was soon forgotten as the Gills struck twice in two minutes.

Nouble put the home side back ahead on 49 minutes and it came from another Jackman free-kick. Richards headed against the bar, Whelpdale pulled the ball back to the on-loan West Ham striker and he struck from close range.

Kedwell’s second of the afternoon was a simple finish just a minute later and again Jackman was the instigator. His low ball into the box was tucked away with ease at the far post for his fourth of the season.

Burton found themselves down to 10 men for the last half hour after Webster’s foul on Kedwell warranted a second yellow to give the Gills an additional lift.

The visitors were reduced to nine men when Austin was also sent-off for a second yellow card with just over 10 minutes left.

Frustratingly the Gills had been unable to capitalise on the additional numbers with Stefan Payne shooting narrowly wide late on.

Gills: Flitney, Fish, Richards, Lawrence, Frampton, Whelpdale, Lee, Jackman, Rooney (Montrose 70mins), Kedwell (Oli 90mins), Nouble (S Payne 81mins). Subs: Weston, Oli, Gazzaniga

Burton: Atkins, Corbett, Webster, James (Moore 45mins), McGrath, Bolder, Phillips Blanchett 57mins), Maghoma, Richards, Kee. Subs: Poole, Palmer, Yussuf.

Attendance: 4,946

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Picture by Barry Goodwin: Danny Kedwell celebrates getting among the goals on Saturday