From the heights of joy after dumping Premier League Brentford out of the Carabao Cup in midweek, Gillingham sank back to the depths on Saturday with a crushing home defeat at the hands of Northampton Town.
A goal in each half was enough for the Cobblers and things got worse still for Neil Harris when keeper Glenn Morris fell awkwardly on the stroke of half time and was replaced almost immediately by one of the Brentford heroes Jake Turner.
Northampton started the day third in the table whilst the Gills were third from bottom and that in the first half showed and in the very first minute Morris made a fine save to deny Shaun McWilliams.
Top scorer Sam Hoskins was always a threat to the Gills back line and when he netted on 27 minutes it really did prove to be unlucky thirteen for the home side as the striker coolly scored which meant that his personal goal tally is now twice that of the Gills entire team – perhaps underlining the difference between the two sides.
Morris then fell badly after a challenge just before half time and was immediately whisked down the Priestfield tunnel as the Gills problems got worse almost by the moment.
A half time change that saw the introduction of Lewis Walker, seemed to galvanise the home side and Jordan Green came withing inches of an incredible equaliser as his drive missed the top corner by fractions.
Walker then missed an incredible chance to level. Sub Scott Kashket did really well to pull the ball back only for Walker to miss the target when he surely had to hit the target!
The Gills were punished moments later when Hoskins turned provider – Kieron Bowie sliding in at the back post to comfortably beat the luckless Turner.
Gills still had time to get back into the game – Alex MacDonald forcing Northampton keeper Burge into a fine save before Mika Mandron glanced a header just wide (from Shaun Williams’ cross) but that was as close as it got leaving the Priestfield faithful looking anxiously over their shoulders as they sit just one place out of the bottom two!
If the pressure is mounting on boss Neil Harris, the last thing you would want is a midweek Cup replay against a Non-League side… sadly for Harris, that’s exactly what he’s got as AFC Fylde come to Priestfield on Tuesday night for the FA Cup 1st Tound replay!
GILLINGHAM – Morris (Turner 41), McKenzie, Wright, Baggott, Law, Williams, O’Keefe (MacDonald 64), Jefferies (Reeves 81), Adelakun (Walker H/T), Green (Kashket 64), Mandron.
Subs not used – Ehmer, Akehurst.
NORTHAMPTON TOWN – Burge, McGowan (Dyche 81), Odimayo (Lintott 81), Guthrie, Sherring, Mcwilliams, Pinnock, Sowerby, Fox (Leonard 69), Hoskins, Bowie (Hylton 76).
Subs not used – Dadge, Haynes, Cross.
Goals: Hoskins (27), Bowie (72).
Booked: McGowan (58), Hoskins (92).
REFEREE – Mr Declan Bourne
Attendance: 4509
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.