Danny Jackman captained Gillingham at Carlisle, in Barry Fuller's absence, but could not lead them to an elusive away win Picture Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham were condemned to their 13th away defeat of the season in League 1 after losing at Carlisle.

The Gills were a goal behind just before the break when Ian Harte scored with a 41st minute free-kick and early in the second half he doubled the lead from the spot.

Gills boss Mark Stimson rued his sides lack of bite in attack following a further set-back on the road.

He said: "We had our chances, and we started the game nice and positively, but you have to take those opportunities.

"We're disappointed because we had chances. Jacko had a good chance of going around the keeper, but you have to take them.

"We're frustrated that their goals came from two set-pieces. If he (Ian Harte) doesn't play for them it would probably be a 0-0 draw but that's why he is here and he is a great asset. I'm sure he practices and practices over and over again.

"We got done by the best player on the pitch by an absolute mile in Ian Harte, who showed how to take set-pieces.

"He put one in the top bin and then in the second half we gave away a silly sloppy penalty and he isn't going to miss from 12 yards."

Things had started brightly for the visitors but Gills' leading striker Simeon Jackson should have done better with a third minute chance.

Having been put clean through by Chris Dickson, Jackson, on the angle, was unable to find the target.

Carlisle's main threat came from set-pieces and it was from one of those which they took the lead when Harte curled home a shot from 20 yards out, after Garry Richards was penalised for a foul on Darryl Duffy.

That goal came just moments after home manager Greg Abbott was sent to the stands for remonstrating with one of the linesmen. He was unhappy with a challenge from Rene Howe on Harte.

The closest Gillingham came to scoring was when Darren Dennehy sent a looping header onto the crossbar from Danny Jackman'sfree-kick. Howe's follow-up cleared the bar.

Gillingham's three-man attack of Jackson, Dickson and Howe were getting little joy against a defence that had let in four goals in their previous outing.

Keeper Alan Julian had denied Carlisle early on in the game, the best save coming from winger Matt Robson whose low shot was palmed away.

Anything the Gills management said at the interval counted for little as just seven minutes into the second half Carlisle added a second from the spot.

Chris Palmer, who was in the team to replace injured captain Barry Fuller, tripped winger Matt Robson and Harte dispatched the penalty past Julian.

With just over an hour gone Stimson made a triple substitution with Dennis Oli and Andy Barcham coming on to add much-needed width to the team. Stuart Lewis replaced Palmer in defence.

Gillingham were troubled by left-winger Robson again on 67 minutes as he broke through and crossed for Scott Dobie. It took a good block from Julian to keep the close-range effort out.

Barcham's shot from outside the area was turned wide by keeper Collin at the other end and Howe put one over the bar from Jackman's corner.

Harte was going for his hat-trick and he came close on 77 minutes with another free-kick which hit the side netting, a shot which has left Julian rooted to the spot.

Gills: Julian, Nutter, Richards, Dennehy, Maher (Oli 63mins), Palmer (Lewis 63mins), Jackson, Miller, Dickson (Barcham 63mins), Jackman, Howe. Subs not used: Royce, Gowling, Weston, Walker.

Carlisle: Collin, Horwood, Livesey, Dobie, Robson, Taiwo (Thirlwell 80mins), Harte, Keogh, Hurst (Marshall 82mins), Clayton, Duffy. Subs not used: Gillespie, Murphy, Kavanagh, Offiong, Kane.

Attendance: 4,646