Gillingham's Luke Rooney is denied a clear sight at goal by Swindon on Tuesday night Picture: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham tasted defeat after conceding two late goals at Swindon.

Swindon took the lead with a stunning goal as Matt Ritchie found the top corner of the Gills goal from long range.

Jonathan Smith also scored from outside the area in injury time to make it a disappointing evening for the Gills.

The Gills were always in the game but Danny Kedwell, returning from injury as a second-half substitute, missed a sitter which would have levelled the League 2 match late on after Ritchie had scored.

Gillingham rode their luck a few times in the first half but came closest themselves to opening the scoring before the break.

A cross from Frank Nouble just after the half-hour mark was headed towards goal by Chris Whelpdale and clawed out by keeper Wes Fodringham. Jo Kuffour went to follow up but couldn’t beat Alan McCormack’s desperate defending on the line. McCormack limped off before the interval following his interception.

The Gills ended the half on the front foot and Kuffour came inches away from getting a clear header on goal just before the break, when Charlie Lee hooked the ball into the penalty area.

Early first half chances for the Gills were limited and Luke Rooney came closest with a free-kick that sailed narrowly wide.

Hosts Swindon were looking to pick out the perfect ball forward and they came close on a number of times to unlocking the Gills defence, but without success.

Ross Flitney wasn’t overly-worked in the first half but was forced into tipping a shot from Swindon dangerman Ritchie wide.

Gillingham made a promising start to the second half but reached the hour mark with only Curtis Weston’s wide effort to show for their endeavour.

With 66 minutes gone Luke Rooney almost put the Gills ahead but his low shot bounced out after hitting the inside of the post.

A Swindon breakaway on 76 minutes had the Gills worried but Flitney got down low to save from Ritchie.

The Gills keeper was unable to reach Ritchie’s effort four minutes later as he smashed the ball into the top corner from 35 yards.

Gillingham should have levelled five minutes from time but substitute Kedwell somehow missed from two yards out, with an open goal, after Nouble picked him out with a cross that just needed tapping home.

Swindon wrapped the win up with another good strike, this time from 20 yards, when Jonathan Smith struck home from Alan Connell’s cross.

Swindon: Foderingham, Caddis, Ridehalgh, Ferry, Flint, McCormack (Cibocchi 42mins), De Vita, Smith, Jervis (Risser 86mins), Montana (Connell 63mins), Ritchie. Subs: Magera, Abdulla.

Gillingham: Flitney, Fish, Jackman, Richards, Lawrence, Lee, Weston (S Payne 86mins), Rooney, Whelpdale, Nouble, Kuffour (Kedwell 76mins). Subs: Gazzaniga, Frampton, Rance.

Attendance: 7,787

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