Adam Birchall is challenged by Oxford's Jake Wright. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham’s stuttering home form continued on Tuesday night as they were beaten by Oxford United.

Alfie Potter stunned the Gills with a goal five minutes from time to seal the points for the visitors.

It was the Gills’ sixth home defeat of the season and third since the start of the year, but they remain two points clear at the top of League 2 after second-placed Port Vale also slipped up on home soil, losing to Exeter City.

Adam Birchall was picked to partner Deon Burton up front as he made his first start since the home draw with York City at the end of January.

He was in as replacement for Cody McDonald, who was recalled from his loan spell the day before by parent club Coventry City. Returning to the line-up and joining Birchall in attack was Deon Burton, with newcomer Antonio German on the bench.

Elsewhere in the team there was a change of roles for Chris Whelpdale, as the midfielder replaced injured Matt Fish at right-back.

Little separated the sides in the first 45 minutes as both had opportunities in front of goal in an opening half littered with stoppages as Oxford went down easily under Gillingham challenges.

But it was the Gills who were forced into making a change just before the break when Myles Weston limped off injured. He had been a threat with runs down either flanks and a shot that rippled the side netting.

The best Gills chance fell to Weston’s replacement, Bradley Dack. Just seconds after coming on he lashed a knock-down from Burton straight at Luke McCormick.

Oxford striker Deane Smalley was a handful for the home defence and Gills keeper Stuart Nelson was kept busy, making several saves to keep the visitors at bay.

Chances weren’t very forthcoming at the start of the second half, with Charlie Lee finding the roof of the net with a looped effort just before the hour. Several timely challenges from Leon Legge kept Oxford under control at the other end.

A Steven Gregory shot from distance was blocked on route to goal by Tony Capaldi, but McCormick was having little to do in front of the Rainham End.

Gills boss Martin Allen made a change in the latter stages with Danny Kedwell – back from a hamstring injury – and German coming on.

A rare chance at goal saw Oxford’s Sean Rigg attempt a chip, but that went sailing over with 10 minutes left. A half-chance from German for the Gills was comfortably held by McCormick.

But a goal finally arrived with five minutes left, and it was Oxford who got it, as Potter chased a ball through the defence and tucked it away across Nelson into the bottom corner.

Gillingham: Nelson, Whelpdale, Martin, Barrett, Legge, Gregory (Kedwell 76mins), Lee , Robinson, Weston (Dack 37mins), Birchall (German 73mins), Burton. Subs not used: Forecast, Davies, Williams, Richardson, Kedwell.

Oxford: McCormick, Batt, Raynes, Wright, Chapman, Heslop (Duberry 87mins), Smalley (Constable 73mins), Rigg, Potter, Capaldi, Davis. Subs not used: Worley, O’Brien, Parker, Craddock, Crocombe.

Attendance: 4,928.