A Jordan Obita brace sent Gillingham on course to a fine win at Cheltenham on Saturday with Chris Whelpdale wrapping up the victory.

Obita scored his first of the afternoon just before the break and put The Gills in command with his second just nine minutes into the second period.

In what turned out to be a comfortable victory, Chris Whelpdale wrapped things up in the 83rd minute when he turned home Danny Kedwell’s cross.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler made three changes to his starting line up from the side that lost to Crewe with Matt Fish replacing the suspended Charlie Lee at right back, Jordan Obita overcame a bout of tonsilitis to take his place in the side in place of Lewis Montrose (who was also suspended) and Danny Kedwell came back into the first eleven with Ashley Miller demoted to the bench.

Neither side really dominated the first half with Cheltenham’s Russell Penn missing a great opportunity to give the home side the lead when only sixteen yards out he miscued his shot wide.

With the scores seemingly going to be scoreless at the break, Oliver Lee’s defence splitting ball by-passed Cheltenham defender Sido Jombati who should have done better and Obita was on hand to stab the ball past the onrushing Jack Butland in the Robins goal.

Just nine minutes into the second half and Obita was on hand to make it three goals in three games as he latched onto Paulo Gazzaniga’s long punt upfield with the Cheltenham keeper and defender Alan Bennett unable to decide who should take responsibility, culminating in the on-loan Reading winger chipping the ball over Butland and into the net.

With a two goal advantage behind them, Gillingham were able to give a run out to the returning Jo Kuffour with Dennis Oli making way and with just seven minutes left on the clock Chris Whelpdale was in the right place to clip home Danny Kedwell’s cross to make it five wins from six.

FULL TIME: CHELTENHAM TOWN 0-3 GILLINGHAM

The win keeps Gillingham eighth in League Two, just a point behind Oxford United with Crawley Town to visit Priestfield on Tuesday night.

Cheltenham line up: Butland, Elliott, Bennett, Garbutt (Goulding 75), Jombati, Pack (Spencer 56), Penn, McGlashan, Summerfield, Duffy, Mohamed (Low 57).

Subs not used: Lowe, Smikle.

Booked: Pack (55).

Gillingham line up: Gazzaniga, Fish, Essam, King, Jackman, Whelpdale, J Payne, O Lee, Obita, Kedwell, Oli (Kuffour 61).

Subs not used: Hawkes, Frampton, Evans, Miller.

Goals: Obita (45) & (54), Whelpdale (83).

Booked: King (37).

Referee: Mr A Madley

Attendance: 3,137 (382 Gills)