Gillingham have won their opening three league games for the first time since their title-winning season of 2012-13.

Ashley Nadesan scored the only goal at Sutton as the Gills continued their perfect start to the League 2 season.

They’re also still to concede a goal and if they continue to defend as they did at Gander Green Lane, they won’t be letting in many.

Boss Neil Harris made three changes to the side who beat Accrington on Saturday.

Cheye Alexander, George Lapslie and Ethan Coleman came in for Robbie McKenzie, Jonny Williams and Shaun Williams.

The Gills, backed by almost 1,300 travelling fans, made a dream start in taking a 10th-minute lead.

The goal owed everything to the determination of Tom Nichols to close down his man and pinch possession.

He continued his run down the right and played in a lovely cross for strike partner Nadesan to stab home from six yards.

A direct Sutton side responded well, getting balls into the visitors’ box, but Harris men looked assured at the back.

The hosts did threaten a couple of times, Scott Malone with a heroic goalline clearance from Oman Sowunmi’s acrobatic effort midway through the half and Jake Turner with a fine low save after a goalmouth scramble shortly before half-time.

But, on the whole, the Gills looked to have a bit too much know-how for their opponents.

Gillingham had a couple of opportunities to add to their lead.

Lapslie fired wide after Nichols and Nadesan linked in the box.

And when the duo combined again to set up Dominic Jefferies, Sutton got bodies in the way to block the path to goal.

Gills, shooting towards their own fans, made a bright start to the second half, putting pressure on the home defence.

Sutton, though, broke well through Harry Beautyman, whose dangerous run into the Gills box was halted by Lapslie tracking back to make a well-timed challenge.

The U’s had the ball in the net approaching the hour mark but celebrations were cut short by the linesman’s flag.

Sutton were trying to force the issue but, as in the first half, Gillingham looked the part defensively, playing with the confidence of a side who hadn’t conceded a league goal.

There was a brief scare when ex-Gills man Scott Kashket met a cross on the volley but it was straight at Turner.

Gillingham, having made a triple change with 10 minutes remaining, switched to a back three in the closing stages, with Conor Masterson replacing Jefferies.

It was a case of defending what they had and the plan worked well.

Sutton: Rose, Sowunmi, Goodliffe, Beautyman (Coley 65mins), Patrick, Eastmond, Clay (N’Guessan 86mins), Kashket (Kasimu 74mins), Kizzi, Milsom, Angol (John 86mins). Subs not used: House, Mellor, Fadahunsi.

Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Ehmer, Lapslie (Clarke 80mins), Nichols (J Williams 80mins), Nadesan (Bonne 80mins), Jefferies (Masterson 86mins), Malone, Coleman, Ogie, Dieng. Subs not used: Morris, Clark, McKenzie.

Referee: Scott Tallis.

Attendance: 3,714 (1,290 away).