Danny Kedwell’s 26th minute headed goal was enough to give Gillingham victory against Charlton Athletic at Priestfield on Saturday afternoon.

The victory maintained Gillingham’s unbeaten pre-season run with just the one game against Watford to play on Tuesday night.

That makes it six wins out of six for Martin Allen’s side with just ten days to the start of the season.

Gillingham lined up with what could be close to their best eleven and gave fans an indication of what side Martin Allen may put out against Bristol City in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday 14th August.

Defenders Connor Essam and Andy Frampton missed out with ankle injuries sustained in the win at Dover Athletic, so new loan signing Tom Flanagan partnered Callum Davies in defence for The Gills.

There were no new signings on show for the home side, with Charlie Lee preferred to wear the captain’s armband as Gillingham wore their new centenary kit for the first time.

As for Charlton, they elected not to field new signing Selim Kerkar, but it was still a strong starting eleven from the Championship side.

The early part of the game saw both sides fighting for possession with Gillingham showing their neat passing football that operates with the full-backs pushing on allowed by Jack Payne sitting in front of the back two.

It took until the 26th minute for the game’s first real opening and it produced the goal as Charlie Lee’s long throw picked out Kedwell in the box and just like the game at Ebbsfleet United seven days ago, he flicked the ball goalwards and into the far corner for the goal.

Stuart Nelson had to be alert not to allow Bradley Wright-Phillips the chance of lobbing him as he came off his line quickly and towards the end of the half he was on hand to block Jordan Cook’s low shot.

Jann Kermorgant went close to levelling in the early part of the second half as his scissor kick went narrowly wide, but in truth Gillingham went on to dominate and could have doubled the lead themselves.

Charlie Lee had a looping header sail just over the bar as Gillingham began to make their dominance tell, with substitutions from both sides disrupting the flow of the game.

In the end, Gillingham were the ones that were victorious and on this showing it was hard to see which side will play in League Two and which in the Championship.

Now for the Charlton perspective from our Charlton correspondant, Chris Thompson:

Charlton took a 19 man squad to Gillingham with Cedric Evina, Danny Green – who picked up a slight knock at Crawley – and Michael Smith being the three players left out of the 22 who travelled to the Broadfield Stadium on Wednesday.

Chris Powell continued with his diamond midfield formation, Dale Stephens was at the base, Jordan Cook behind the strikers with Bradley Pritchard and Johnnie Jackson completing the quartet. The starting Xl may well be the team Powell currently views as the best he has available.

The Addicks feel behind after 26 minutes when Charlie Lee’s long throw was back headed by Danny Kedwell and the striker’s effort dropped into Hamer’s net for a soft goal.

Substitutions were less prolific than previously – just the three that would be allowed in a competitive match – no doubt an attempt by Powell to create a real match situation. Gillingham continued to have the better of the exchanges in the second period and ran out worthy winners.

It was a disappointing display by the Addicks and it will give Chris Powell much to ponder ahead of the final warm-up game against Fulham next Saturday.

FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM 1-0 CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Gillingham line up: Nelson, Fish, Flanagan, Davies, Martin, Whelpdale, Payne, Lee (Birchall 80), Dack (Jackman 61), Strevens (Montrose 61), Kedwell (Allen 84).

Subs not used: Forecast, Evans, Brown.

Charlton line up: Hamer, Solly, Wiggins, Jackson, Morrison, Cort (Dervite 61), Pritchard, Stephens, Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Haynes 68), Cook (Hollands 77).

Subs not used: Sullivan, Wagstaff, Taylor, Wilson, Kerkar.

Referee: Mr Andy D’Urso