Danny Kedwell's first-half penalty was enough for Gills to beat Southend

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham withstood 45 minutes of pressure to take maximum points from in-form Southend at Priestfield.

The Gills, undefeated in their opening six league games, led in first half injury-time following a Danny Kedwell penalty but before the break had Bradley Dack sent off for a foul.

Southend went into the match with wins from their last three League 2 matches but were unable to make their extra man count in the second half.

Victory maintained Gills’ three point lead at the top of the table, ahead of Saturday’s opponents Port Vale.

Gillingham got off to a bad start after Charlie Lee hobbled off injured after just five minutes.

But Southend lost their keeper to injury moments later as he fell awkwardly following a challenge with Deon Burton.

After a lengthy stoppage he was replaced by teenager Daniel Bentley, who had little to do in the half.

Southend were having the better chances and soon after Britt Assombalonga had headed over unmarked it needed a great one-handed save from Stuart Nelson to deny former Gills striker Gavin Tomlin.

The Gills were being limited to half chances and Chris Whelpdale put two efforts wide of the mark.

Things started to warm up in stoppage time and there was plenty of it.

Four minutes in and a foul from John Spicer on Dack led to a penalty which Kedwell blasted into the roof of the net.

It was Kedwell’s fourth successful spot kick of the season so far and eighth goal in total.

Dack, who had replaced the injured Lee, was heading off the pitch early, however, after his late challenge on Mark Phillips was deemed worthy of a red card by referee Phillip Gibbs.

Gills boss Martin Allen kept strikers Burton and Kedwell on for the start of the second half and it was the home side who dominated the early periods after the restart. But it wasn’t long before Andy Frampton came on to help protect the slender lead, leaving in-form Kedwell as the outlet up front.

The Gills goal wasn’t threatened in the second half until 66 minutes when Tomlin collected Kevan Hurst’s cross, but, after teeing himself up, he volleyed the ball over the bar. Tomlin – who scored six goals in 10 appearances for the Gills last season - went closer moments later with a shot that Nelson clung on to.

Southend continued to press and with 14 minutes left Assombalonga put a great chance wide of the post and saw a low shot saved well by Nelson. Further pressure followed but the Gills hung on for the win.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Davies, Barrett, Wright, Whelpdale, Lee (Dack 6mins), Allen (Strevens 73mins), Kedwell, Burton (Frampton 54mins). Subs: Flanagan, Montrose, Birchall, Forecast.

Southend: Smith (Bentley 18mins), Clohessy, Cresswell, Timlin, Martin (Benyon 76mins), Hurst, Phillips (Straker 46mins), Spicer, Assombalonga, Tomlin, Barker. Subs: Coughlan, Eastwood, Benyon, Woodyard, Njie.

Attendance: 4,920