Chris Palmer fires Gillingham into a sixth minute lead at Northampton Town. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham were beaten on the road once again despite taking the lead at Northampton.

Chris Palmer had put the Gills in front early on but former player Dean Beckwith levelled the scores and the hosts scored their second from the penalty spot.

Leon McKenzie’s converted spot-kick was enough for the hosts as they hung on to deny the 886 travelling Gillingham fans any joy.

Gillingham started the game at a good pace and had an early shout for a penalty when Cody McDonald went down in the area with the goal in sight. Referee Rob Shoebridge waved play-on despite the protests.

Frustration turned to joy with six minutes gone as Palmer smashed in a low free-kick following a lay-off from John Nutter.

Palmer, with five goals to his name now, fired a low shot narrowly over moments later but the hosts gradually came back into the match.

With 20 minutes gone it was all-square when a corner was headed home by former Gillingham youngster Beckwith.

Gillingham found themselves 2-1 behind at the break when a foul from Matt Lawrence on Beckwith led to Mr Shoebridge pointing to the spot. McKenzie drove home the penalty.

Akinfenwa headed over a chance for the Gills just after the hour mark and McDonald also came close but his header was claimed by the keeper.

Town’s best effort of a quiet second half for them came when sub Michael Jacobs’ low shot was easily held by Alan Julian.

Home keeper Chris Dunn saved an angled shot from Akinfenwa and despite late pressure from the Gills they were unable to pull themselves back level.

Gillingham: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Lawrence, Sinclair, J Payne, Maher (Spiller 66mins), Bentley (Oli 66mins), Palmer (S Payne 81mins), McDonald, Akinfenwa. Subs not used: Inkango, Southall, Miller, Hawkes.

Northampton: Dunn, Hall, Beckwith, Gilligan (Rodgers 80mins), Osman, Holt, Wedderburn, Johnson, Davis, McKay (Jacobs 64mins), McKenzie (Guinan 79mins). Subs not used: Thornton, Hinton, Walker, Konstantinou.

Attendance: 4,573

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