Mark Stimson looks unimpressed from the bench as Gillingham go down 1-0 at Oldham. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham lost the battle against fellow strugglers Oldham on Saturday.

A single goal in the second half from Lewis Guy was enough to separate the sides and leave the Gills in deep trouble in the lower reaches of League 1.

Guy smashed home the winner with 59 minutes gone against a Gills side who failed to get on the scoresheet

Defeat saw the Gills slip into the League 1 relegation zone.

Boss Mark Stimson said: "In the first half we were in control. We didn’t score but we had a couple of opportunities and some decent play.

"They came off to a big boo as we were in control. I told the boys that they would probably have a little spell and get back into it, they needed to try and do the things they did in the first half, unfortunately we didn’t do that as well and they’ve nicked a goal.

"To come away 1-0 is disappointing."

Clear-cut chances were at a premium for both sides in the opening half at Boundary Park.

The Gills lined up with Chris Dickson in attack, in place of suspended Dennis Oli, but the visitors were unable to overly trouble home keeper Dean Brill after the opening 45 minutes.

Dickson lasted an hour before being hauled off and replaced by James Walker.

The Gills’ keeper Alan Julian made a good save to deny the lively Lewis Guy, after Oldham broke from a chance at the other end, where defender Sean Gregan had put in a great tackle to deny Adam Miller.

Andy Barcham and Rene Howe both had shots from the edge of the box but Brill dealt with those comfortably.

The home side did have the ball in the net after 30 minutes but Guy’s effort was ruled out for off-side.

With five minutes of the half remaining Howe headed John Nutter’s free-kick narrowly over.

A lively opening to the second half saw Oldham sub Danny Whitaker lash a shot an inch wide, while at the other end Dickson smashed a good chance well wide – prompting manager Mark Stimson to get fellow striker Walker off the bench and warming up.

Miller’s shot from the edge of the box drew a diving save from Brill but on the hour the Gills found themselves a goal down as Dale Stephens put Guy through and the striker did the rest.

Oldham were buoyed by the goal and striker Pawel Abbott had three chances at goal, all which went close, but not close enough to trouble Julian.

Gillingham put the pressure on in the closing stages, with Barcham joining the attack, as the third striker.

Stuart Lewis had a long range effort saved in stoppage time and the hosts hung on to win the crucial relegation scrap.

Gillingham: Julian, Nutter, Lewis, Richards, Dennehy, Jackman, Weston, Barcham, Miller, Dickson (Walker 58mins), Howe. Subs not used: Royce, Fuller, Maher, Bentley, Gowling, Payne.

Oldham: Brill, Worthington (Whitaker 46mins), Hazell, Abbott (Eaves 80mins), Guy, Gregan, Taylor, Lee, Stephens, Black, Millar (Marrow 86mins). Subs not used: Aljofree, Brooke, Ollerenshaw, Colbeck.

Attendance: 3,486.