Robbie McKenzie’s second half strike wasn’t enough to save Gillingham from a fifth successive defeat as their Fleetwood Town jinx struck again to leave Steve Evans’ side two points and two places the wrong side of the League One survival line.

McKenzie’s low drive from Mustapha Carayol’s pull back was the only bright spot for the Gills on a foul afternoon on the Fylde coast and extended Gillingham’s woeful record at Highbury Stadium to just one win in nine visits.

The Gills were dealt a major blow – or should that perhaps read another major blow – in the build up to the game when Jamie Cumming was denied a return by parent club Chelsea’s COVID protocols which meant Aaron Chapman continued in goal whilst there was minor relief as Rhys Bennett returned to the starting line up for the first time in a month although question marks had to be against the defender’s full fitness.

With so much riding on the game, it was hardly surprising that in driving Lancastrian seaside rain, the football sadly matched the mood of both sets of supporters – edgy and nervy!

All that led to a pretty sterile opening half – Chapman made a good save to keep out Ged Garner’s early effort whilst Carayol’s shot which was easily dealt with by Alex Cairns was the best that the visitors could muster.

All that changed seven minutes from the break as Harrison Biggins was left unmarked at the back post to side foot home Paddy Lane’s cross. If that wasn’t bad enough for the thread bare Gills, it could have been even worse before half time as Callum Morton couldn’t react quickly enough to turn home an attempted shot on goal.

Evans has bemoaned lady luck in recent weeks, and she was missing again just before the hour mark when Olly Lee was clearly tugged back as he tried to get on the end of a ball that had been missed by the home defenders – sadly Mr Martin was one of only few who didn’t think it was a penalty and waved away the Gillingham protests.

Andrew went close to doubling the home side’s lead but his low strike thumped off Chapman’s post before the all important second goal came the home side’s way on sixty-five minutes when Tom Clarke headed home after a short corner routine.

Ten minutes later McKenzie rifled home Carayol’s pull back to give the travelling faithful some hope and the home fans a nervy last quarter as three vital points were now well and truly in the melting pot. Sadly, none of the points would be heading to Kent despite the Gills’ best efforts.

So just like last season, the Gills have now lost five league games in succession but unlike twelve months ago, the future doesn’t look very bright. Indeed, next weekend’s home game with rock bottom Crewe Alexandra becomes arguably the biggest game played by the club since the Play Off Final of 2009 – three points would give the Priestfield faithful some much needed Christmas cheer going into a massive Christmas period; defeat on the other hand just doesn’t bare thinking about Mr Scrooge…

FLEETWOOD TOWN – Cairns, Andrew, McLaughlin, Clarke, Morton (Johnson 70), Garner (Clark 93), Matete, Morris (Edmondson 78), Biggins, Lane, Johnston.

Subs not used – Crellin, Conn-Clarke, Boyle, Hayes.

Goals: Biggins (38), Clarke (65).

Booked: Biggins (97).

GILLINGHAM – Chapman, Lintott, Bennett, Tucker, McKenzie, Phillips (Tutonda 77), O’Keefe, Lloyd (Sithole 87), Carayol, Lee, Akinde.

Subs not used – Cumming, Akehurst, Reeves.

Goal: McKenzie (74).

Booked: Phillips (65), Tutonda (90).

REFEREE – Mr Steve Martin

Attendance: 2,313