A solitary first half goal on a balmy Priestfield evening means that Steve Lovell and the Gills are still anxiously looking over their shoulders as the League One season reaches its conclusion.

Will Vaulks’ first half strike settled the destination of the points as the Gills made it seven without a win just when it looked as though Lovell and his charges had reached the finishing line and safety.

Whilst 52 points has never before seen a side relegated from League One, the Gills faithful in the 4,029 crowd – the second lowest league gate of the season – still would prefer their charges to have one more win under their belts.

And to be fair, although some boos were heard at the final whistle, the home side could easily have got something out of this game, but overall the sense of disappointment at the final whistle was palpable.

They had two loud penalty appeals waved away by referee Whitestone, whilst after Vaulks’ goal, Josh Parker superbly headed home Mark Byrne’s cross only to be “beaten” by the assistant’s flag.

Sadly for Parker that was as good as his night got as the Gills more direct style which it has to be said did look a lot more threatening when top scorer Tom Eaves arrived from the bench early in the second half couldn’t unlock a dour resolute and well organised Rotherham back-line intent on holding onto fourth place in the table and their place in post season.

The Gills were behind on 19 minutes when Vaulks shot through the crowd from the edge of the box after Emmanuel had battled his way down the right.

The home side weren’t helped by an early injury to Gabriel Zakuani which saw the defender replaced on 23 minutes by Ben Nugent and in a strange way it settled the home side as before Nugent’s arrival, Rotherham’s giant striker Michael Smith had caused the home side problems.

The home side huffed and puffed with Mark Byrne busy and bustling in midfield, and it was Byrne’s cross that Parker header home just past the half hour that was wiped out by an assistant’s flag.  Shortly before the break the home side had their first appeal for a penalty waved away as Callum Reilly went down in the box

The second period became more and more stretched with the Gills pushing for the equaliser but sadly the clearer chances came to the visitors.

Tomas Holy produced a fine save to deny Richard Wood after the central defenders run from halfway before Ryan Williams shot wide when clean through before heading wide when unmarked from six yards.

Gillingham then had a very good shout for a penalty waved away as Parker headed across goal only for Eaves to be man handled to the floor – referee Whitestone wasn’t interested.

It wasn’t a night that Gills peppered Marek Rodak’s goal as the final ball just wasn’t there tonight which given the way the Gills were when Lovell first took over.

Three games left then for the Gills and with the Play Offs now officially out of reach to make mathematically, there’s still just a little more to do for Lovell and his men to make a guaranteed League One place.

 

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Ehmer, Zakuani (Nugent 24), Wagstaff, Hessenthaler, Wilkinson, Ogilvie (Eaves 52), Parker, Reilly, Byrne.

Subs not used: Hadler, Stevenson, List, Nash, Nasseri.

Rotherham United line up: Rodak, Emmanuel, Vaulks, Wood, Palmer, Taylor (Forde 77), Towell (Ajavi 65), Purrington, Ihiekwe, Willliams, Smith (Lavery 80).

Subs not used: Price, Ball, Newell. Cummings.

Goal: Vaulks (20).

Booked: Smith (45+2), Towell (64), Vaulks (87).

Referee: Mr Dean Whitestone

Attendance: 4,029

Picture supplied by Kent Pro Images.