Gillingham 2 Bournemouth 1

Gillingham had goalkeeper Derek Stillie to thank as they secured a crucial three points against fellow League 1 strugglers Bournemouth at Priestfield on Saturday.

Stillie - in for the injured Simon Royce - saved Max-Alain Gradel's 79th-minute penalty after Sam Vokes had been fouled by Garry Richards to preserve a 2-1 lead.

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He also did brilliantly to turn Vokes's effort onto the crossbar and denied Jo Kuffour as the visitors pushed for an equaliser.

Gillingham started brightly and took the lead after just nine minutes when Andrew Crofts picked the ball up 25 yards out and sent a deflected shot beyond Bournemouth keeper David Forde.

It was 2-0 on 27 minutes when Simeon Jackson - who had missed a golden opportunity three minutes earlier - ran onto Adam Miller's through ball and netted his first goal for the club.

But Bournemouth got themselves back into the game within a minute when Kuffour was left unmarked to tap in Gradel's cross.

Gills boss Mark Stimson said: "We started really bright and at 2-0 I thought we could have gone and got more but fair play to Bournemouth they came back in it and showed what a good attacking side they are.

"They will feel a bit sad at having a goal disallowed and seeing a penalty saved but we haven�t had much luck recently and I�m a firm believer that over a season it evens itself out."

Gillingham: Stillie, Clohessy, Richards, Cullip, King, Nutter, Crofts, Bentley, Miller (Griffiths 81mins), Oli (Cumbers 90mins), Jackson.
Subs not used: Kiely, Fuller, Howard.
Attendance: 6,540.