Danny Kedwell tries to close down an opponent during Gillingham's 1-0 defeat at Southend Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham tasted defeat for the third time in four games after conceding late on against Southend in League 2 on Tuesday night.

The home side, who played half of the second period with 10 men, snatched the winner when Mark Phillips headed home an 87 minute corner.

Southend striker Bilel Moshni was sent off midway through the second half for a second caution, but the Gills couldn’t capitalise.

Luke Rooney had an early stab at goal, after getting in behind the defence, but keeper Glenn Morris showed a strong hand to keep it out.

The home side went close with a looping effort from Blair Sturrock in front of the 550 travelling fans which struck the bar. Those Gills fans were relieved to see it cleared to safety.

They were arguably the best chances of the game before it opened up late on.

Southend had put a bit of pressure on, after a positive start from Andy Hessenthaler’s side, but with 28 minutes gone Morris had to be alert again to dive low and palm away Joe Martin’s shot.

Gillingham, who continued with Kedwell playing as the lone striker, were looking more dangerous in the opening half at Southend than they had at the weekend against Accrington.

An even first half ended without a goal and the Gills came close just before the interval when Danny Spiller, back in the side in place of Lewis Montrose, blazed a shot narrowly wide.

Early chances fell at both ends in the second half with Kane Ferdinand shooting wide from a corner for Southend and Spiller’s delicate effort dropping just wide at the other.

Rooney blasted a shot at goal just before the hour from a corner but it was parried by Morris and cleared.

Hessenthaler introduced Dennis Oli on the hour to offer support in attack for Kedwell in a bid to snatch the winner.

Moshni, who was petulant throughout the game, saw red on 67 minutes when he stood in the way of Garry Richards’ free-kick. It was his second booking after earlier going down feigning injury.

The Gills, already missing defender and captain Andy Frampton through injury, lost stand-in skipper Matt Lawrence because of a head injury with 20 minutes left after a collision with Mark Phillips.

For the final 15 minutes the Gills had three strikers on with Stefan Payne joining proceedings to replace Spiller, who hobbled off.

Payne twice drew a save from Morris in the last five minutes but they were unable to make the extra man count.

With three minutes left the deadlock was broken when Ryan Hall’s corner was guided home by Phillips.

The Gills had an additional five minutes of injury-time to rescue a point but were unable to avoid defeat.

Gillingham: Flitney, Fuller, Martin, Lawrence (Montrose 73mins), Richards, Lee, Whelpdale (Oli 62mins), Spiller (S Payne 77mins), Jackman, Rooney, Kedwell. Subs not used: Fish, Essam.

Southend: Morris, Clohessy, Gilbert, Hall, Mohsni, Grant, Timlin, Ferdinand, Phillips, Sturrock (Prosser 94mins), Barker. Subs not used: Johnson, Bentley, Leonard, Kalala.

Attendance: 4,598

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