The wait for an away win in League 2 goes on for Gillingham after losing to fellow strugglers Newport - leaving them second from bottom.

Priestley Farquharson headed the hosts infront just before the break as Gills keeper Jake Turner was unable to hold onto the effort and an own-goal from Elkan Baggott doubled the home side’s lead. Gillingham were unable to reply and lost the game 2-0.

• Reaction: 'Fed up of the same old c**p'

Ben Reeves was brought back into the side for the Gills after injury, playing in behind the front two of Mika Mandron and Lewis Walker.

Newport started the day just above of the Gills in the table, struggling at home with the worst record in the division prior to kick-off. Neil Harris’ men were looking to win their first league game on the road, from their ninth attempt.

The hosts pumped themselves up with a rousing rendition of the Welsh World Cup anthem sung by Dafydd Iwan - the League 2 game being played just two days before Wales and England kick off their challenge in Qatar. With no breaks below the Championship it was business as usual in the lower-leagues and beyond.

Newport - starting the day 18th against 22nd-placed Gillingham - dominated the early stages and almost took the lead from a well-worked corner, played short by Aaron Lewis and then out to Omar Bogle whose shot took a deflection from Priestley Farquharson, needing a last-gasp stop on the line from keeper Turner to keep the ball out.

Turner was making his first league start for the Gills, in place of the injured Glenn Morris.

Gillingham survived the early pressure and a dipping shot from Will Wright with half an hour gone needed pushing over by County keeper Joe Day, who was then saved by the woodwork twice following the resultant corner. Shaun Williams hit the upright from Ben Reeves’ flag-kick and Max Ehmer was denied by the crossbar on the follow-up.

Turner’s earlier save had kept Newport out but he failed to claim a header just before the break as the hosts took the lead. Aaron Lewis’ corner was met by Farquharson, but the Gills keeper fumbled the effort, and could only watch as it bobbled past him over the line.

Gills had created chances in the half after a slow start but found themselves down at the break. Harris’ men would need two goals to win the match - something they hadn’t managed in their previous 18 league fixtures. They had scored just two goals from their previous eight games away from home so it was a big ask to turn it around in the second half.

Harris switched things around at the break, bringing on captain Stuart O’Keefe for Cheye Alexander and ditching the wing-back set-up in favour of 4-diamond-2.

Gillingham had still been unable to get a grip of the match and were two down with an hour played after Baggott flicked a long throw past his own keeper. Mickey Demetriou’s throw into the box might was flicked on by Cameron Norman but it was the Gills defender whose final touch took it out of the reach of goalkeeper Turner.

The Gills hadn’t looked like getting back into the game at 1-0 down and two goals was certainly beyond them although O’Keefe was unlucky not to get one back, denied by home keeper Joe Day from close range.

Gillingham attacked in numbers late on, with Jordan Green introduced to add extra pace to the attack, but could still find no way through. Newport took striker Omar Bogle off late on to try and shut up shop, not that the home striker seemed to appreciate the withdrawal as he walked off to the dressing room after words with the management.

It's the Gills who have the biggest problems, however, sinking to another disappointing defeat, once more without a goal.

Gillingham: Turner, Alexander (O’Keefe 46mins), McKenzie, Wright, Ehmer, Baggott, Williams, Jefferies (MacDonald 59mins), Reeves (Kashket 59mins), Mandron, Walker (Green 70mins). Subs not used: Holtam, Adelakun, Mnoga.

Newport: Day, Norman (Dolan 71mins), Aaron Lewis, Demetriou, Drysdale, Farquharson, Bennett, Moriah-Welsh, Waite, Evans, Bogle (Collins 81mins). Subs not used: Townsend, Willmott, Zimba, Nevers, Adam Lewis.

Referee: Ollie Yates.

Attendance: 4,300.(371 away)