Gills' scorer Deon Burton takes on Daniel Leadbitter, above, while, below, Joe Martin tries to beat his man. Pictures: Barry Goodwin

Gillingham suffered their first away defeat of the season after losing at Torquay.

Deon Burton gave the Gills an early second-half lead but it was all-square when Nathan Craig netted four minutes later.

Kevin Nicholson struck from distance late on to win it for the hosts.

Gillingham went into the game without a defeat from their opening six away games in League 2 and Torquay boasted an unbeatable home record.

Gills manager Martin Allen made the changes to the team that he hinted at, with four new faces in the starting XI - including a role as the defensive midfielder for Callum Davies.

Early chances from Chris Whelpdale, youngster Bradley Dack and recalled striker Deon Burton were fired wide from the Gills as they bossed the early stages.

Burton got closer on 16 minutes with a header that keeper Michael Poke was forced to save, but as the half wore on the home side got ever closer themselves. Billy Bodin and Nathan Craig both had opportunities that flashed wide.

But the Gills remained dangerous and Whelpdale had their best chance of the half, from close range, but was unable to find the target as Robbie Findley beat his marker and sent in a dangerous cross.

The chances continued at both ends. Stuart Nelson, in goal for the Gills, saved from Lee Mansell and was grateful to see the rebound bounce to safety off Adam Barrett. Before the half-time whistle sounded he had made two good saves from Bodin.

Jack Payne had a header from a corner cleared off the line but the first half somehow ended without a goal.

And the Gills were forced into making a change just before the break. Joe Martin came off worse following a challenge with former Gills loanee striker Rene Howe - who had scored in all of his previous seven league appearances - and limped off to be replaced by Andy Frampton.

With seven second-half minutes played the Gills took the lead. Torquay’s defence failed to deal with a long ball forward from Adam Flanagan and it landed at the feet of Burton. He scored with a cool finish in front of the 205 travelling away fans.

But Gills’ delight was shortlived as Craig’s free-kick from out wide looped over Nelson and into the far corner to level the scores.

With an hour gone Torquay upped the pressure and only a fantastic finger-tip save from Nelson denied Howe and from the resulting corner Davies had to hook Craig’s dangerous corner out of play.

Gillingham were limited to shots from distance, despite the introduction of Myles Weston, as Torquay dominated much of the second half. And with five minutes remaining Gills went behind as Nicholson sent in a dipping shot from 25 yards over Nelson.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin (Frampton 45mins), Barrett, Flanagan, Davies, Payne (Strevens 70mins), Dack, Whelpdale, Burton, Findley (Weston 63mins). Subs not used: Forecast, Kedwell, Montrose, Freiter.

Torquay: Poke, Nicholson, Downes, Saah, Lathrope, Mansell, Howe, Leadbitter (Cruise 81mins), Bodin, Stevens, Craig. Subs not used: Jarvis, Rice, Easton, Yeoman, Thompson, Mackenzie.

Attendance: 2,251.