Kevin Maher receives treatment from Gills physio Paul Smith. Picture: Barry Goodwin

Crystal Palace 0 Gillingham 1
By Andrew Gidley

Youngster Jack Payne grabbed the 61st-minute winner but Gillingham’s pre-season injury woes continued at Selhurst Park on Sunday.

The teenage midfielder took his chance well, finishing off good work by Curtis Weston and Andy Barcham, as chances came and went in a lively second half, following a low-key first 45 minutes in the South East London sunshine.

However, Mark Stimson’s biggest concern would have been seeing midfielder Kevin Maher limp off after 14 minutes.

He needed lengthy treatment on his right ankle, but managed to return to the action, only to limp off soon afterwards.

It was another blow for Stimson, with the new season just days away, and Maher now joins Simon King, Stuart Lewis and Dennis Oli on the treatment table at Priestfield.

Stimson named keeper Alan Julian in the side ahead of veteran Simon Royce, who missed the game as his son was ill with swine flu.

Julian produced the save of the match five minutes before half-time when he stopped Palace striker Alassane N’Diaye’s goalbound effort.

Gillingham had created the best chances only to be let down by their finishing.

Simeon Jackson went close twice in two minutes, and Barcham fired over from the edge of the box.

Miller put Jackson in again, but his effort was deflected for a corner by defender Matt Lawrence.

Gills might have grabbed the lead in their first attack after the break, Adam Miller blasting against the crossbar from inside the area.

But N’Diaye was guilty of the miss-of-the-match when he volleyed over from close range, when scoring looked easier.

Payne broke the deadlock three minutes later, easing the Gills in front against a youthful Eagles side as Palace boss Neil Warnock left out most of his established stars.

Stimson rang the changes in the second half, using six substitutes including Mark Bentley, and he might have added a second three minutes from time. Barcham was again involved in the build-up, but Bentley’s left-foot effort went just wide of the far post.

Crystal Palace: Flahavan (Mann 82mins), Butterfield (Nnamani 82mins), Lawrence, Ertl, Hills (Parsons 77mins), Carle, Pinney (Scannell 46mins) Comley (Lee 46mins), John (Abnett 68 mins) Cadogan, N’Diaye (Holnes 90 mins).
Gillingham: Julian, Fuller, Richards (Wynter 79mins), Gowling (Essam 82mins), Nutter, Palmer (Rooney 62mins), Miller (Bentley (76mins), Maher (Payne 14mins), Weston (Yussuff 82mins) Barcham, Jackson (McCammon 79 mins).
Attendance: 1,980 (235 visiting supporters).