Gillingham’s hopes of making it into the League Two play-offs were all but dashed on Tuesday night when Matt Fish’s own goal gave Burton their first win since Boxing Day.
Fish’s own goal, nine minutes into the second half summed up Gillingham’s evening as they failed to ignite against a side that had lost their past eight games.
Andy Hessenthaler had kept faith with the starting line up that drew 2-2 at Bradford City with Charlie Lee and Danny Spiller replacing Olly Lee and Ashley Miller on the bench.
The game almost got off to the worst possible start for The Gills as Greg Pearson played Justin Richards into space, but they had a let off as the ball hit the side netting instead of nestling in the back of the goal.
That should have served as a warning to The Gills who failed to get going with Albion keeper Ross Atkins a mere spectator at times.
Jordan Obita and Jo Kuffour were handed half chances, but neither really tested the Burton shot stopper and it came as no real surprise that the home side went in at the break in front.
Jacques Maghoma almost gave Burton the lead just moments into the second half, but despite beating Paulo Gazzaniga, the ball clipped the crossbar and away to safety.
Minutes later and the deadlock was broken when Pearson rounded Gazzaniga, only for The Gills keeper to claw the ball into the path of Matt Fish who stood no chance as he deflected the ball into the net.
Gillingham’s best chance to level came within the space of a few minutes when Kuffour was set free by Chris Whelpdale, but the striker couldn’t beat Atkins from a tight angle.
A raft of substitutions from Gillingham failed to see the tempo increase with Charlie Lee lasting just nine minutes before hobbling off to be replaced by Rowan Vine.
In truth, had it not been for Gazzaniga, Burton could have quite easily have scored at least another two or three goals in the final quarter of an hour and in the end the 1-0 scoreline reflected how the game had panned out.
FULL TIME: BURTON ALBION 1-0 GILLINGHAM
The defeat, combined with Oxford United’s 2-0 win at Accrington Stanley sees The Gills go into Saturday’s game against Macclesfield at Priestfield seven points behind Cheltenham and needing a small miracle.
Burton line up: Atkins, Webster, Stanton, Corbett, Richards (Ada 94), Austin, Phillips, Pearson (Ainsworth 79), Maghoma, Dyer, Bolder.
Subs not used: James, Taylor, Clucas.
Goal: Fish (og 54).
Booked: Stanton (44).
Gills line up: Gazzaniga, Fish (C Lee 68 ((Vine 77)), Essam, Frampton, Martin, Whelpdale, J Payne (Oli 63), Montrose, Jackman, Obita, Kuffour. Subs not used: King, Spiller.
Booked: Martin (66).
Referee: Mr Webb
Attendance: 1,714