By Matthew Panting

Gillingham will start their League 2 campaign at home to Cheltenham for the second sucessive season.

The Gills were handed an opening day clash with the Robins on Saturday, August 6 when the fixtures were announced on Friday morning.

The teams drew 1-1 at Priestfield last season with Adebayo Akinfenwa (pictured celebrating with his team-mates) cancelling out Wes Thomas' goal for the visitors to rescue a point for the Gills.

It will be the third time the teams have met on the opening day in five season as Gills lost 1-0 at Cheltenham in 2007 - the last time Gillingham have lost an opening day fixture.

Gills travel to Crewe on August 13 before a midweek trip to Barnet which is followed by a home game with relegated Plymouth.

Andy Hessenthaler's men will meet promoted AFC Wimbledon for the first time on October 1 when they travel to the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off winners while rivalry with Swindon will be renewed when the teams meet on October 25 at The County Ground.

Gillingham travel to Crawley on Boxing Day and then Dagenham & Redbridge on New Year's Eve before hosting Aldershot on January 2.

Gills finish the season with a trip to Northampton on April 28 before hosting Morecambe on the final day at Priestfield on May 5.

Click here to see Gillingham's League 2 fixtures in full.

Picture: Barry Goodwin

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