Cody McDonald celebrates the goal against Oxford United that ends Gillingham's 34-game wait for an away win Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham ended an 18-month stretch without an away win after beating Oxford United on Saturday.

The Gills' winless run on their travels had lasted 34 games but it finally ended with a slender but well-earned win in Oxford.

Cody McDonald was the man with the solitary goal which was enough for the Gills to party all the way back to Kent.

The Gills, backed by 768 travelling supporters, deservedly took the lead with five minutes of the first half left when McDonald robbed defender Jake Wright of the ball before rounding the keeper and slotting home.

It was an opening half dominated by the Gills and McDonald's fifth of the season was just reward for 45 minutes where Oxford, themselves in trouble at the wrong end of League 2, struggled against the visitors who were inspired by an all-action performance from loan midfielder Charlie Lee.

Gillingham had it all their own way in the opening stages, with keeper Ryan Clarke having to save at McDonald's feet after the striker burst clear.

Chris Whelpdale headed a Chris Palmer corner over the bar and another corner moments later saw Lee head wide with the goal at his mercy.

Good link up play between Kevin Maher and Adebayo Akinfenwa put Lee through just after the half-hour mark but he shot wide.

Gills keeper Alan Julian barely had a save to make and when he did get down to turn Alfie Potter's shot around the post, it was going wide anyway.

With 40 minutes gone McDonald bagged the opening goal, his first in five games, and Gills walked off at the break a goal up and Oxford fans booing their side off.

Oxford came into the game more at the start of the second half, helped by the introduction of eight-goal striker James Constable off the bench.

Constable twice fired wide in the early stages of the second half, while United's Tom Craddock shot over and Julian got down well to save from Alfie Potter.

Craddock struck wide with five minutes remaining as Gills held on and put their bodies behind an Oxford barrage. With six minutes of added-on time the Gills defended bravely and took maximum points home with them for the first time since May 2009.

Gills: Julian, Fuller, Kennedy, Lawrence, Sinclair, Maher (Spiller 84mins), Palmer (Jackman 90mins), Lee, Whelpdale, Akinfenwa (S Payne 73mins), McDonald. Subs not used: Nutter, King, Inkango, Cronin.

Oxford: Clarke, Purkiss, Futcher, Wright, Kinniburgh, Wotton (Heslop 73mins), Payne (Constable 46mins), Clist, Potter (Green 79mins), Maclean, Craddock. Subs not used: Eastwood, Batt, Worley, Hall.

Attendance: 7,144