Deon Burton stretches for the ball against Northampton Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham made it five wins from five on the road after beating Northampton in League 2 on Tuesday night.

The Gills took the lead a minute before the break through Deon Burton – just seconds after Chris Hackett had smashed an effort against the bar for the hosts.

Jack Payne marked his return from injury by scoring the visitors second 10 minutes into the second half, but former Gills player Adebayo Akinfenwa netted late on.

Gillingham finished with 10 men when Charlie Allen picked up a second booking in stoppage time.

The Gills had won all four of their previous away games in League 2 but were facing a Northampton team unbeaten on home soil. But it was the visitors celebrating at the final whistle.

Martin Allen made three changes to his starting eleven, with Payne returning from injury and slotting into midfield, while Charlie Allen and top-scorer Danny Kedwell were also back in.

A free-flowing first half saw both teams produce good build-up play but the Gills had the best of the early chances when Kedwell hit a snap-shot from Matt Fish’s cross, but keeper Lee Nicholls pulled off an instinctive save.

Tom Flanagan also headed wide for the Gills but Northampton ended the half well, with Akinfenwa having a shot blocked by Tom Flanagan and Kelvin Langmead smashing an effort narrowly wide.

With half-time looming Northampton substitute Hackett – an early replacement for the dangerous looking Luke Guttridge – smashed a half-volley against the crossbar.

But Nelson’s quick thinking saw his clearance find Burton and the striker showed class and composure to collect the ball, round the keeper and roll the ball home a minute before half-time. It was his fourth goal of the season.

There was controversy early in the second half when Allen was taken out by the home keeper, as he chased onto Burton’s through-ball, but nothing was given, to the frustration of the Gills management and the 388 visiting fans.

With 55 minutes gone, the Gills broke forward and Payne picked up the ball on the edge of the box before driving a low shot past Lee Nicholls.

Northampton pressed to get back into the match and had a lifeline with eight minutes left when Ben Tozer’s throw found Akinfenwa and the big striker headed home from close range.

The Gills could have made the game safe with four minutes left as Myles Weston’s cross bounced off the bar and caused panic in the Town box. It needed a flying save from Nicholls to deny Robbie Findley.

Allen’s dismissal made it harder for the Gills – with his second booking in five minutes – but the visitors hung on to win.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Barrett, Flanagan, Payne (Frampton 69mins), Wright, Allen, Whelpdale (Weston 59mins), Kedwell, Burton (Findley 75mins). Subs not used: Strevens, Davies, Montrose, Forecast.

Northampton: Nicholls, Johnson (East 67mins), Widdowson, Guttridge (Hackett 10mins), Langmead, Demontagnac (Moult 78mins), Tozer, Nicholls, Artell, Roofe, Akinfenwa. Subs not used: Higgs, Charles, Platt, Mukendi.

Attendance: 3,648