Gillingham celebrate Joe Martin's goal at Wycombe Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham made it three wins from three after a narrow win at Wycombe on Tuesday night.

Joe Martin struck the vital goal after Myles Weston’s free-kick hit the post just before the hour mark.

The Gills dominated the second half but Wycombe had a man advantage in the closing stages when defender Tom Flanagan was sent off for a second caution. It was a lift the home side needed.

But Gillingham hung on in the dying minutes to claim a second League 2 win to add to their Capital One Cup victory over Bristol City at the start of the season.

Despite numerous chances for both teams the first half ended without a goal. Gillingham would have been the happier to go into the break goalless.

Gills boss Martin Allen elected to make five changes to the side which beat Bradford at the weekend.

Among those to start was Weston and his quick feet caused plenty of problems for Wycombe early on. Home keeper Nikki Bull made a fantastic one-handed save to deny Weston after the Gills winger had beaten two players on the flank, before cutting inside and shooting at goal.

Despite Gills’ good start Wycombe got themselves more into the game with around half an hour gone and dominated until the break. Sam Wood had earlier curled an effort narrowly wide for the hosts and more chances followed.

Keeper Stuart Nelson saved well from Stuart Beavon and there were other close efforts from dangerman Joel Grant and Matt Spring – whose powerful free-kick was parried by Nelson before being cleared to safety.

A swap for the Gills at the break saw Charlie Allen taking over from Bradley Dack – who had made his first senior start – in midfield. Allen was immediately involved and it needed a good save from Bull to deny the substitute.

The Gills started the second half well with Bull making saves from Allen and Flanagan before the visitors took the lead. Weston’s free-kick struck the base of the post and Martin was in the right place to guide the ball into an empty net with 56 minutes on the clock.

Allen’s men maintained the pressure, seeing much more of the ball in the second half, and Chris Whelpdale narrowly missed with a downward header. The same player sent Bull into a sprawling save with a shot from distance on 66 minutes.

Grant came close to making the scores level moments later and Nelson parried the shot and was grateful to Martin, who headed the danger clear.

Wycombe – second best for the second half – were handed a lifeline when Flanagan saw red for a challenge on Richard Logan with 12 minutes left. The referee booked him for the challenge – his second caution of the match.

It failed to de-rail Gills’ hopes as they took maximum points back to Priestfield.

Wycombe: Bull, Stewart, Basey (Angol 84mins), Johnson, Doherty, Spring, Lewis, Bloomfield (Logan 63mins), Grant, Wood (Oli 45mins), Beavon. Subs not used: Harrison, Winfield, Kewley-Graham, Hause.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Martin, Flanagan, Barrett, Dack (Allen 46mins), Lee, Payne, Whelpdale (Davies 79mins), Weston, Kedwell (Jackman 84mins). Subs not used: Forecast, Strevens, Frampton, Burton.

Attendance: 3,507.

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