Adebayo Akinfenwa celebrates scoring Gillingham's fourth goal against Lincoln Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Two goals in each half secured Gillingham a vital three League 2 points at Lincoln on Saturday with a commanding performance.

Goals from Josh Gowling and Cody McDonald put the Gills in charge at the break and Lincoln defender Danny Hone diverted McDonald’s shot across the line for the third on the hour.

Nine minutes later Adebayo Akinfenwa powered home a close-range header to make it four.

Gillingham were well in charge by the break after headed goals from Gowling and McDonald had put Andy Hessenthaler’s side 2-0 ahead.

Lincoln weren’t devoid of chances of their own but found Alan Julian in good form as he twice saved well from former Gills trainee Luke Howell.

The opening half belonged to the Gills though and they were ahead through recalled central defender Gowling with 20 minutes gone.

Gowling, who played six times for Lincoln in a loan move during November, was back playing for the Gills for the first time in over two months after replacing Garry Richards at the back.

He had plenty of space to head in the opening goal from Kevin Maher’s corner.

Home keeper Elliott Parish made a number of good saves, denying Akinfenwa’s 17th minute header and a 25th minute effort from long range.

Akinfenwa was troubling the fragile Lincoln defence and he helped engineer the second goal, which was eventually supplied by Barcham. His delicate cross was headed home by McDonald.

A quiet start to the second half ended when Gillingham got their third on the hour.

Lincoln defender Danny Hone diverted the ball into the net after McDonald had guided Barcham’s pass towards the net.

With 69 minutes played the Gills were 4-0 ahead when Akinfenwa dived low from close range to nod home Barcham’s cross, after he left the Lincoln defence in his wake.

Gillingham coasted to the final whistle and back into the play-off places.

Gills: Julian, Fuller, Martin, Gowling, Lawrence, Maher, Weston (J Payne 54mins), Spiller (Rooney 81mins), Barcham, McDonald, Akinfenwa (S Payne 76mins). Subs not used: Nutter, Richards, Jackman, Cronin.

Lincoln: Parish, Kelly, Watts, Hone, Anderson, Fuseini, O’Keefe (Kilbey 68mins), Howell, McCallum, Hutchinson (Broughton 68mins), Grimes (Spencer 76mins). Subs not used: Green, Clapham, Hughton, Anyon.