Goals from Bradley Dack and Cody McDonald saw Gillingham pick up a much needed win at Bury.

Bradley Dack opened the scoring in the first half before Cody McDonald doubled the Gills’ advantage after the break.

James Vaughan netted his 20th goal of the season to halve the deficit 15 minutes from time but for all of the Shakers’ efforts they failed to find the elusive equaliser.

Jacob Mellis and George Miller came the closest, each hitting the post.

However, with Swindon and Oldham both losing the Shakers’ first defeat in six games means they remain four points above the drop zone, whilst The Gills climb to 17th in League One, now six points clear of the relegation places.

Bury boss Lee Clark stuck with the same side which won against Coventry in midweek, naming an unchanged team for the first time since taking over the reins four games ago, whilst Ady Pennock brought back fit again Dack and Mark Byrne with Josh Parker dropping to the bench whilst Scott Wagstaff missed out through injury.

It was Bury that started well with Vaughan and Mellis firing warning shots over the bar.

But, against the run of play, the Gills broke with Lee Martin who held the ball up for the arriving Dack. The midfielder then drove the ball across goal and into the bottom corner with the game only 14 minutes old.

The Shakers struggled to get the ball down and play their usual fluid football on the bobbly, dug-up turf.

But they had their fair share of chances as Vaughan shot wide after being played through by Tom Pope.

Full-back Greg Leigh sliced wide after being picked out by Paul Caddis and Mellis was denied by Stuart Nelson.

Vaughan, Tom Beadling and Cameron Burgess all shot wide as the first half drew to a close with Ryan Jackson forced off through injury to allow Mitchell Dickenson to come on for his league debut.

Within two minutes of the restart Gillingham struck a sucker-punch to double their advantage – forward McDonald rising highest to head Dack’s corner inside the near post.

Bury were struggling in the final third so Clark introduced forwards George Miller and Ryan Lowe.

Callum Styles sent an effort wide soon after and Stuart Nelson got the faintest of fingertips onto Mellis’ 25-yard pile-driver to push it onto the post.

Jermaine Pennant was introduced with 15 minutes to go and seconds later Vaughan pulled a goal back with a magnificent over-head kick – his 10th goal in eight games.

Lowe and Miller were both denied by fine Nelson saves before the latter crashed a header against the outside of the post.

Clark’s substitutes provided a much needed boost but it was not enough to prevent defeat, whilst Gillingham returned to Kent with three much needed points.

Gillingham will now look to follow up the victory with another decent performance against third place Scunthorpe United at Priestfield next Saturday.

 

Bury line up: Murphy, Leigh, Burgess, Pope (Miller 58), Vaughan, Mellis, Barnett, Moore (Pennant 75), Styles, Beadling (Lowe 65), Caddis.

Subs not used: Lainton, Maher, Walker, Hope.

Goal: Vaughan (75).

Gillingham line up: Nelson, Jackson (Dickenson 40), Ehmer, Rehman, Byrne, Wright, Osadebe, Martin, Dack, McDonald, Quigley (Parker 59).

Subs not used: Holy, Hessenthaler, List, Cundle, Muldoon.

Goals: Dack (14), McDonald (47).

Booked: Quigley (43), Nelson (69), Parker (81), Byrne (91).

Referee: Mr Darren Drysdale

Attendance: 3,203 (199 Gills)