Stuart Nelson celebrates a shut-out against Bradford Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham maintained their fantastic away form by collecting maximum points from their trip to Bradford on Saturday.

Cody McDonald (pictured below) put the Gills ahead midway through the second half and it proved enough for the Gills against this season’s cup giant-killers.

Gillingham were in search of a club record-equalling 10 Football League away win but it was a big ask against a side warming up for a Capital One cup final appearance, having seen off Arsenal and Aston Villa on the way.

The Gills soaked up the pressure in the opening half and then had the better of the second as they reached the double-figure mark for the season.

Boss Martin Allen made three changes to the team which lost last time out, at home to Wycombe, and they all came in midfield. Andy Frampton was the only one to keep his place as Myles Weston, Charlie Lee and Steven Gregory were all dropped to the bench.

In came Chris Whelpdale, Charlie Allen and Anton Robinson, the latter making his first Gills start, after signing from Huddersfield on loan.

Bradford had the best of the minimal first half chances but were denied by keeper Stuart Nelson, who had a double save to firstly block Gary Jones’ shot and then turn Nahki Wells’ follow-up over the bar.

Apart from that chance and a header from big striker James Hanson the Gills managed to keep the hosts at bay.

Gillingham took a while to get into the match, as Bradford started on the front-foot, but midway through they were putting some passes together. But as for chances, they were limited to a deflected Joe Martin effort and one from Chris Whelpdale, neither of which troubled home keeper Matt Duke.

The game opened up more after the break and the Gills took full advantage.

Deon Burton fired an early second half free-kick wide for the visitors and Whelpdale came even closer, with a shot from open-play, which Duke had to dive down to save.

Gillingham took the lead with 64 minutes gone as McDonald chased down Burton’s ball over the defence and after rounding the keeper he slotted home for his third goal in four appearances since returning to the club.

Hanson somehow headed an effort wide with 12 minutes to go, with a chance infront of goal where it looked easier to score than miss. The Gills hung on in stoppage time to deny the hosts from an equalising goal.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Legge, Barrett, Whelpdale, Robinson, Frampton, Allen (Weston 55mins), Burton, McDonald (Lee 79mins). Subs not used: Forecast, Davies, Birchall, Gregory, Muggleton.

Bradford: Duke, Good (Thompson 73mins), Darby, Reid, Hanson, Jones, Hines (Dickson 73mins), Wells, Nelson, Doyle, Naylor (Connell 81mins). Subs not used: McLaughlin, Davies, Gray, Atkinson.

Attendance: 10,887