Bournemouth 2 – 1 Gillingham

A STOPPAGE time goal from Andrew Surman broke Gillingham hearts and earned Bournemouth the three points at Dean Court on Saturday.

Top scorer James Hayter showed good composure to hold off Gillingham keeper Jason Brown before crossing for Surman to head in from almost on the goal-line.

Neil Harris had given the visitors the lead after 62 minutes, but he had Matt Jarvis to thank for a superb assist.

Jarvis chased a hopeful ball over the top and beat the defender before squaring for Harris who produced a fine finish low into the net from close range.

It was no more than the Gills deserved but the lead lasted just four minutes as Ronnie Jepson’s side were made to pay for a defensive error.

Surman was allowed to cross into the box and Jon Wallis’s attempted clearance went straight to Hayter, who calmly beat Brown from the edge of the box.

Suddenly Bournemouth looked the more likely to score and Gillingham were grateful to Danny Jackman who produced a fine goal-line clearance to deny Steven Foley.

Earlier, Jarvis spurned a glorious chance to give the Gills the lead on six minutes when he ballooned a shot over the bar after being sent clear by Danny Spiller.

Harris almost produced a goal out of nothing midway through the first half when he unleashed a long-range shot that keeper Gareth Stewart only just managed to keep out and Bournemouth were able to clear their lines before Akwasi Fobi-Edusei could follow up.

Nine minutes before the break Spiller might have done better with a chance that fell to him following a fine move down the right involving Jon Wallis and Jarvis, but his attempted chip floated well wide.

Substitute Paul Shields, who replaced the quiet Kobi-Edusei at half-time, almost made an immediate impact when he got across his marker to connect with a superb Tom Williams cross, but his header was just off target.

Hayter should have given Bournemouth the lead five minutes into the second half, but he glanced a header inches wide from Marcus Browning’s excellent centre.

Gillingham have now lost their last seven away matches.

Gillingham: Brown, Wallis, Sancho, Cox, Jackman, Jarvis, Spiller, Flynn, Williams, Harris Fobi-Edusei (Shields h-t).
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Rose, Grant, Collin.