Gillingham ended their long wait for a win by beating the League 2 leaders Port Vale on Saturday.

Jayden Clarke headed home Conor Masterson’s 79th minute cross to clinch a much-needed three points for Gillngham at Priestfield.

Visitors Port Vale had won five league game in a row ahead of their trip to Priestfield, facing a Gills side who ended a run of five straight defeats with a draw at Swindon Town a fortnight ago.

Form went out of the window with Clarke’s fifth goal of the season ending a poor run of results for the Gills.

Marcus Wyllie was brought into the starting eleven to partner Jacob Wakeling in attack while manager Mark Bonner stuck with a three-man defence.

It was a bright start from the Gills and Armani Little was a fraction off converting Wyllie’s ball into the box. Sadly, that was as close as the Gills got in the first 45.

Vale had a similar chance when Jayden Stockley drilled in a low cross that had no takers.

Gillingham’s all-action midfielder Little lasted just under half an hour before limping off with what looked like a hamstring strain, his last contribution trying to win the ball on the ground with his head. He’ll be a miss.

The Gills also picked up a couple of knocks in defence but both Max Ehmer and Shad Ogie were able to continue. Ehmer went down from a stray arm and Ogie was flattened by striker Jayden Stockley, who escaped with a caution.

Gillingham wasted a number of balls forward, often choosing the wrong option, and couldn’t test the visiting goalkeeper in the first half despite seeing plenty of the ball. A stoppage-time shot from Wakeling was blocked as he tried his luck from outside the box.

Vale had big calls for a penalty when Gills keeper Jake Turner - recalled to the starting eleven after recovering from injury - looked to have taken out Ronan Curtis in the box. Thankfully for the hosts referee Alan Young felt there was nothing in it.

Max Clark put a free-kick over the bar early in the second half and Vale got away with a couple of sloppy moments at the back.

Vale missed a massive chance to break the deadlock just before the hour when Ryan Croasdale picked out the run of Stockley but the striker screwed the shot wide of the mark.

Gillingham took the lead in the 79th minute with their first effort on target. Jack Nolan took a quick throw to Masterson and his cross was headed home by Clarke beyond the desperate stretch from keeper Connor Ripley.

League 2 table

Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Clark, Ehmer, Masterson, Ogie, E Williams (J Williams 70mins), Little (Coleman 29mins), Dieng (Nolan 75mins), Wakeling (Andrews 75mins), Wyllie (Clarke 70mins). Subs not used: Morris, Gbode.

Port Vale: Ripley, Cover, Grant, Debrah, Heneghan, Hall, Sang, Croasdale, Richards (Chislett 46mins), Curtis (Shorrock 69mins), Stockley (Hackford 69mins). Subs not used: Amos, Lowe, Paton, Tolaj.

Referee: Alan Young

Attendance: 6,267 (523 away)