Gillingham put the Accrington goal under pressure Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Matt Fish handed Gillingham all three points against Accrington with a first half stunner in their League 2 clash at Priestfield.

Fish’s thunderbolt put the Gills ahead midway through the opening half and his goal proved to be enough on a bitterly cold afternoon.

The Gills were in complete control in the opening half, but had to battle in the second as Accrington enjoyed more possession without being able to penetrate the home defence.

There were three changes to Gillingham’s starting XI from the one which helped gain a point in Rochdale on the Tuesday night.

Charlie Allen, Deon Burton and Steven Greogry all came into the team to start the match against an Accrington side desperate for points to ease their relegation fears.

The Gills, playing in front of their second best crowd of the season, knew three points would put them eight points clear at the top of League 2. By full-time they had moved 10 points clear of fourth place – further strengthening their promotion hopes.

The first half was dominated by the Gills but they had to settle for just the one goal advantage at the break. Visiting defender Tom Aldred had twice made timely clearances, to deny Burton and Danny Kedwell, but there was no stopping Fish’s opener.

Joe Martin’s cross field pass had found Chris Whelpdale but when his cross was blocked in came Fish to smash an unstoppable drive from the edge of the area which crashed in off the underside of the bar.

Accrington, who had been followed south by 28 dedicated fans who were all treated to a burger and chips by Gills chairman Paul Scally, tried to work their way into the match after the goal but failed to test home keeper Stuart Nelson.

A great chance fell to Whelpdale three minutes before the break, after he was played in on goal by Kedwell, but he miscued the shot and keeper Paul Rachubka gathered.

Martin almost sent the Gills into the break two goals ahead but his 25 yard shot whistled narrowly wide.

Accrington had barely had a sniff at goal all match but twice came close before the hour mark. Keeper Stuart Nelson was forced into saving Peter Murphy’s shot from an angle and then had to hold onto Charlie Barnett’s curling effort that headed towards the top corner.

The Gills made a change to try and regain their dominance as Myles Weston and Antonio German added pace to the attack. Their arrival coincided with a pitch invasion by two spectators, who were eventually apprehended by stewards after running the length of the pitch.

German’s pace did unsettle the visiting defence, but clear-cut chances remained rare for the hosts.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Barrett, Legge, Gregory (Lee 84mins), Whelpdale, Allen (Weston 64mins), Robinson, Kedwell, Burton (German 64mins). Subs not used: Forecast, East, Davies, Birchall.

Accrington: Rachubka, Wilson, Murphy, Joyce, Winnard, Barnett (Lindfield 44mins), Aldred, Linganzi, Molyneux, Jeffers (Beattie 71mins), Hatfield. Subs not used: Dunbavin, Liddle, Miller, Clark, Gray.

Attendance: 10,097