Preston 1 Gillingham 0

A BIZZARE own goal by Gillingham goalkeeper Jason Brown divides the teams at half-time at Deepdale.

Dave Nugent struck a powerful volley which beat Brown and crashed against the post, but the ball rebounded back off the keeper and into the net after 27 minutes.

Preston have dominated the game so far and deserved the lead. Nugent almost doubled the home side’s lead on the stroke of half-time but his shot just cleared the crossbar.

The Gills have offered little in the first half, although Stan Ternent’s side came back into the match slightly near the end of the first period..

Jonathan Douglas wasted a decent opportunity when he chose to shoot from long range rather than take the ball closer to goal and later Jay McEveley sent an effort well wide of Carlo Nash’s goal.

In stoppage time at the end of the half Chris Hope headed straight at the Preston keeper from a corner when well placed.

Gillingham: Brown, Nosworthy, Hope, Cox, McEveley, Southall, Smith, Flynn, Douglas, Sidibe, Henderson.. Subs: Banks, Hills, Crofts, Jarvis, Byfield.