Despite a brave comeback in the second half, Gillingham slipped to defeat at Accrington Stanley on Saturday afternoon.

With just the one change from the side that lost at home to AFC Wimbledon last weekend (Frampton in for Lawrence), Gillingham were one down within 45 seconds when Michael Smith grabbed his first of the afternoon.

Danny Jackman levelled just six minutes later, but the game was ultimately lost before the break when Smith completed his hat-trick either side of Luke Joyce’s goal.

Two goals from Gavin Tomlin after the break gave Gillingham hope, but it wasn’t meant to be and they were defeated.

Despite having promised changes to the side that lost to the Dons, only Matt Lawrence paid the price for shipping four goals at home with fit again Andy Frampton returning to the starting line up.

He had barely had chance to say hello to central defensive partner Garry Richards when Gillingham were already one down.

Ross Flitney bowled the ball out straight to Padraig Amond and he calmly squared to on loan Charlton striker Michael Smith who made no mistake slotting the ball past the visiting keeper.

Parity was restored just six minutes later when Danny Jackman bagged his fifth goal of the season with a well whipped free kick that left the Accrington keeper stranded.

Getting back on level terms should have lifted The Gills, but instead they went on to hit the self destruct button as Smith was allowed to fire the ball home from the edge of the area on nineteen minutes.

Smith turned provider for Luke Joyce just after the half hour mark as yet again Flitney was beaten from the edge of his area.

Accrington made it four just before the break with Smith completing his hat-trick when Lewis Montrose gave the ball away, Peter Murphy curled the ball in and the Addicks striker slammed the ball home.

4-1 at the break could have been so much worse for Gillingham who made two changes at the break. On came Paulo Gazzaniga in goal for his league debut with Flitney paying for a poor first half. Curtis Weston was also introduced as Jack Payne made way with an injury.

Credit must be paid to Gillingham for giving it a real go in the second half and on another day they could have snatched a point.

Gavin Tomlin was yet again instrumental in clawing his side back into the game, firstly capitalising on a mistake by Ian Dunbavin with the Accrington keeper attempting to lob the ball over him, instead handing it on a plate to the striker who made no mistake.

With just five minutes to go, Tomlin was found in space by Weston and he fired past Dunbavin to set up a dramatic finish.

Gazzaniga was thrown forward from a corner as Gillingham desperately threw everything they had at the home side, but in the end they had to pay the price for a woeful defensive display that sees the 261 travelling fans head back to Kent wondering why they ever bother making the long trip north.

FULL TIME: ACCRINGTON STANLEY 4-3 GILLINGHAM

Gillingham’s defeat sees them drop to ninth in League Two, eleven points behind Crawley in third and next up is Hereford at Priestfield next Saturday.

Accrington line up: Dunbavin, Coid, Winnard (c), Nsiala, Joyce, Murphy, McIntyre, Evans, Smith, Amond (Craney 84), Hughes (Barnett 70).

Subs not used: Murdoch, Guthrie, Willis.

Goals: Michael Smith (1), (19) & (45+1), Luke Joyce (31).

Booked: Coid (93).

Gillingham line up: Flitney (Gazzaniga H/T), Lee, Richards, Frampton, Martin, Tomlin, J Payne (Weston H/T), Montrose, Jackman, Kuffour, Kedwell.

Subs not used: King, Rance, Miller.

Goals: Danny Jackman (7), Gavin Tomlin (70) & (85).

Booked: Weston (68).

Referee: Mr Rushton

Attendance: 1,734 (261 Gills)