Gillingham 1 – 0 Hartlepool United

PAUL SHIELDS’ first goal for Gillingham was enough for his side to earn all three points against 10-man Hartlepool at Priestfield on Saturday.

The Gills got off to a dream start in Ronnie Jepson’s first game in charge when Shields drilled them in front after just nine minutes after Neil Harris had picked him out in the box. It was Shields’ first goal for the club.

In a bright opening from the home side, Andrew Crofts also headed wide after a cross by Matt Jarvis.

The closest Hartlepool came to an equaliser in the opening 45 minutes was a looping Neil Collins header that landed on top of the goal five minutes before the break.

Tony Bullock kept the Gills in front 10 minutes into the second half when he produced a fine save to deny Jon Daly after Ritchie Humphrey’s had crossed well from the left.

Humphrey’s himself came close with 15 minutes to go with a long range effort that went just over the bar.

Gillingham were boosted on 57 minutes by the return to first team action of Darren Byfield who replaced goalscorer Paul Shields for his first appearance since the end of September.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men for the last five minutes after Thomas Butler was dismissed for a second bookable offence after a cynical foul on Jarvis.

Danny Spiller missed a glorious chance to make it 2-0 with the last kick of the game.

Gillingham: Bullock, Johnson, Hope (Collin h-t), Cox, Williams, Spiller, Smith, Crofts, Jarvis, Harris (Jackman 69), Shields (Byfield 57).
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Saunders.
Attendance: 6,092.