Gillingham 2 Dagenham 1

Dennis Oli pounced with two minutes remaining to nick a vital victory for Gillingham on Monday.

The second half substitute headed home John Nutter’s 88th minute free-kick to put the Gills 2-1 ahead in their promotion clash with Dagenham.

Oli’s goal was enough to seal the points, ending a four game winless run for the Gills and breathing fresh life into their promotion bid.

A tense game started so well for Gillingham but they were unable to build on an early lead and went into the break on level terms.

Mark McCammon had put the Gills ahead after just eight minutes, when Dagenham keeper Tony Roberts parried the ball into the striker’s path, following John Nutter’s long range effort.

Dagenham came back into the game and they should have been level soon after, when Simon Royce’s clearance hit Paul Benson, but the striker somehow missed an open goal as the ball fell at his feet.

Roberts at the other end had to make good saves to deny Simeon Jackson and Stuart Lewis but the equaliser came before the break.

With 41 minutes gone Ben Strevens crossed for Sam Saunders and the midfielder had a simple tap in to level the scores.

McCammon came close to putting the Gills back in front on the hour mark but his close range effort was blocked.

There were few clear cut chances for Gillingham in the remaining half-hour but Jackson had a low shot saved from close range by Roberts and with time running out Oli rose highest to head his side into the lead.

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson said: “We had to make sure we matched Dagenham in effort and if we did that the quality would come through and it did.

“Dennis Oli was big and brave and he got there before the goalkeeper to score the winner for us.

“It was always going to be a tight game and we knew that if we weren’t ready defensively they could catch us. The back four defended really well.

“The boys in the middle did a good job. Stuart Lewis’ work-rate was phenomenal and Josh Wright stepped in and showed composure on the ball, while Curtis Weston played his normal game.

“It was a good start to the game and a great finish.”

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, Lewis, King, Richards, Wright (Oli 69mins), Weston, Jackson, McCammon (Bentley 80mins), Barcham. Subs not used: Southall, Miller, Julian.

Dagenham: Roberts (Hogan 90mins), Okuonghae (Uddin 86mins), Ritchie, Saunders, Southam (Montgomery 89mins), Griffiths, Benson, Strevens, Foster, Gain, Arber. Subs not used: Doe, Guy.

Attendance:6,945.