Gillingham ended a run of five defeats on the trot with a deserved 2-0 victory over Walsall in Division 1 at the Priestfield this afternoon.

Andy Hessenthaler's side started off slowly but gradually took control of the game and servedly took the lead after only 24 minutes.

Guy Ipoua kept hold of possession in the penalty area before laying the ball back to David Perpetuini who made no mistake with a low shot inside the post.

The visitors improved after the break but rarely threatened to find the back of the net and they paid for their poor form in front of goal when the Gills extended their advantage mid way through the second period.

Ipoua used his strength to hold off a defender on the edge of the box and after creating the space to shoot he planted a right foot shot into the corner of the goal.

Walsall pushed forward for goals in the remaining few minutes but apart from one speculative lob from substitue Jorge Leitao with ten minutes left, which bounced off the top of the cross bar, they never looked like getting anything out of the game.