Gillingham 0 Birmingham 2

Championship side Birmingham condemned Gillingham to defeat in the heat at Priestfield on Saturday.

A strong Birmingham side looked like embarrassing Gillingham, after going two goals ahead in the first 20 minutes, but Mark Stimson’s side managed to steady the match and a flurry of chances in the second half should have earned them at least a couple of goals.

The Gills experienced a tough opening and handed Birmingham the lead, when a sloppy pass from John Nutter was picked up by Cameron Jerome, and the striker slammed the shot past Simon Royce.

It was 2-0 soon afterwards, as Martin Taylor scored from close range, after Jerome’s effort was deflected as it headed goalwards.

The Gills had a bright spell midway through the half and both Simeon Jackson and Andrew Crofts tested visiting keeper Maik Taylor.

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson fielded a number of trialists including Bolton’s Michael Burns on the left and former Trotters player Leslie Thompson on the right during the first half.

A better start to the second half saw Gillingham threaten and Jackson had claims for a penalty turned down. Birmingham did, however, miss a great chance to make it 3-0 when Sebastian Larsson shot wide when clean through.

Second half substitute Dennis Oli made an immediate impression after replacing Thompson on the right wing and he was twice denied a goal by keeper Taylor.

Stimson introduced youth team player Joshua Sargeant late on and the chances continued but Taylor’s goal remained unbreached. Taylor’s 86th minute block from a sizzling Jackson effort was the pick of a number of saves as the Gills ended on a high.

Reaction from Saturday’s match to follow.

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, King, Richards, Thompson (Oli 46mins), Crofts, Bentley, Miller (Sargeant 85mins), Jackson, Burns (Cumbers 46mins). Subs not used: Lewis, Pugh, Julian, Daniel, Rooney. Attendance: 1,742