Frank Nouble fires in a late goal from the penalty spot in Gillingham's 2-1 defeat at Morecambe Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham succumbed to a second straight League 2 defeat on Saturday.

A goal in each half from Morecambe was enough for the home side to take maximum points.

Clear goalscoring chances for the Gills were sparse on a tricky afternoon for Andy Hessenthaler’s side.

A penalty in the fourth minute of injury time, converted by Frank Nouble (pictured), was too little too late.

Gillingham, who started with an unchanged eleven, were aiming to bounce back from a 2-0 midweek defeat at Swindon.

Just one change was made to the matchday squad with Joe Martin returning from suspension and replacing Dean Rance on the Gills bench.

Gillingham went a goal behind after just eight minutes through midfielder Garry Hunter. He struck from 20 yards with a shot the looped over keeper Ross Flitney and bounced in off the underside of the bar.

The Gills had been off the pace in the opening stages but came alive in the latter stages of the half, with Luke Rooney coming close, shooting a low shot into the arms of goalkeeper Barry Roche. Rooney and Whelpdale had also put efforts wide of the post.

With no change to the score by the hour mark the Gills introduced leading scorer Danny Kedwell off the bench, joining Jo Kuffour and Nouble in attack.

The home side doubled their lead on 68 minutes when Matt Fish was beaten by wide-man Izak Reid. His pass found Kevin Ellison and the substitute striker guided the ball in low past keeper Flitney.

Gillingham were creating chances down the right flank with Nouble but were unable to get someone on the end of one of his crosses.

A clear sight at goal continued to elude the Gills and Chris Whelpdale had to try his luck from distance late on but keeper Roche was equal to it.

In second half injury time the Gills pulled a goal back after Roche fouled Kuffour and Nouble tucked the penalty away.

Gillingham: Flitney, Fish, Jackman, Richards, Lawrence, Lee, Weston (Kedwell 58mins), Whelpdale, Rooney (S Payne 79mins), Nouble, Kuffour. Subs: Frampton, Martin, Gazzaniga

Morecambe: Roche, Haining (Charnock 29mins), Wilson (Reid 49mins), McReady, Parrish, Drummond, McDonald, Hunter, Carlton, Alessandra, Price (Ellison 62mins). Subs: Routledge, Flemming.

Attendance: 2,067

Two away defeats in a week for the Gills, tell us what you make of the results by leaving a comment below.