Justin Edinburgh’s reign as Gillingham boss starts with a win.

Bradley Dack put the Gills ahead against the run of play in the opening half.

Former Gills player and home captain Jack Payne levelled the score but John Marquis put the visitors back infront with 11 minutes left.

Marquis’ fourth goal in seven appearances turned out to be the winners as the Gills stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to six games.

New manager Edinburgh, taking charge for the first time, made just one change to the team which started at the weekend against Sheffield United and that was enforced.

Injured Josh Pritchard (calf) dropped out and Danny Galbraith was named in the starting XI for the first time, his previous three appearances coming off the bench.

The Gills were up against it for much of the first half and survived a wave of early attacks. Shaun Brisley hit the bar from close-range when it was easier to score and several other good chances went begging.

Edinburgh’s men made them pay for the missed chances when Bradley Garmston crossed for Dack and he fired in an effort in from the edge of the box for his seventh goal of the season.

Dack also volleyed an effort narrowly over the bar.

Peterborough had another couple of good opportunities at the end of the half.

Gills keeper Stuart Nelson flapped at a Joe Newell free-kick before blocking Christian Burgess’ follow-up and then held onto a stoppage-time header from Luke James.

A moment of brilliance from Dack set Marquis up for a chance early in the second half but he blasted over the bar after his team-mate had beaten several defenders inside the box before laying the ball off.

Peterborough levelled on 55 minutes when James pulled the ball back for Payne and he shot into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Marcus Maddison dragged a shot wide for the hosts with 15 minutes left as they continued to threaten.

Jermaine McGlashan, for the Gills, was attempting to do his bit from the bench after replacing Galbraith with an hour gone. He helped win a couple of corners which the visitors were unable to capitalise on.

With 11 minutes left the Gills went back infront when Hessenthaler’s low cross was turned home brilliantly by Marquis from an angle, with the ball squeezing in at the near-post past keeper Scott Loach. McGlashan had again been involved in the build-up.

The referee played seven minutes of added-on time on but the Gills defended bravely and claimed a gutsy three points.

Peterborough: Loach, Smith, Brisley (Oztumer 83mins), Bostwick, Payne, James, Washington (McLean 46mins), Newell, Burgess, Maddison, Beautyman. Subs: Henry, Ntlhe, J Anderson, Zakuani, H Anderson.

Gillingham: Nelson, Hoyte, Garmston (Martin 75mins), Egan, Ehmer, Loft, Dack, Hessenthaler, Galbraith (McGlashan 61mins), McDonald (Norris 81mins), Marquis. Subs: G Morris, Legge, German, Dickenson.

Attendance: 4,449