Billy Knott’s first Gillingham goal sealed a come from behind win against a Coventry City side who remain firmly rooted to the foot of Sky-Bet League One table.

The win in front of Priestfield’s biggest gate of the season so far 7,664 – undoubtedly helped by the club donation of tickets to a number of local schools – was just the club’s second win at home-base in eleven league and cup games.

And the relief at the final whistle was evident and even brought a smile out of manager Justin Edinburgh as he strode down the touchline towards three precious points that takes the Gills up to eighth in the table but just four points behind leaders Scunthorpe United.

The visitors were in front after 20 minutes when Kyel Reid superbly beat Stuart Nelson from the edge of the box after Vladimir Gadzhev had enjoyed too much time and space in the Gills half.  It was a lead though that lasted just five minutes as Max Ehmer superbly glanced Ryan Jackson’s long throw into the net, before Knott sprinted onto a delightful through ball from Cody McDonald before drilling the ball past keeper Reice Charles-Cook to spark scenes of great joy around Priestfield.

Gills boss Justin Edinburgh had spoken during the week about his desire to see his side close games out, and the boss would have been delighted at the way Ehmer and Deji Oshilaja in particular held firm and dealt with almost everything that the Sky Blues had to offer.

It’s been a frustrating few months for the Priestfield faithful and the way this game began, for a while it seemed like it would be another such 90 minutes as Coventry enjoyed much of the early possession and took the lead 20 minutes in when Reid picked up the ball from Gadzhev’s pass to drill the ball into the bottom corner leaving Nelson to bemoan the lack of a challenge and the room that the Bulgarian had enjoyed.

Ehmer’s equaliser to an extent came out of nothing as Jackson’s long throw seemed as though it would be cleared, but Ehmer timed his run to perfection as he glanced home his third goal of the season making him joint top scorer with Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

The Gills were indebted to returning keeper Nelson who then with just a couple of first half minutes left, pulled off a stunning save shortly before half time as this time Marvin Sordell strode – the Gills keeper pulling out all the stops with a true top drawer save to keep the sides on level terms at the break.

Some of the Gills fans then thought that the tireless running of McDonald had given the home side the lead as the striker fired into the side netting before Gadzhev’s shot was beaten out by Nelson – the Gills keeper standing firm as the Bulgarian’s drive moved all over the place in flight.

Knott then was on the end of a flowing Gills move that saw McDonald brilliantly open up the Sky Blues defence to play in the winger who gleefully beat Charles-Cook with a low drive to register his first goal for the club – and if the rest are anywhere near as good they will be a joy to behold!

It left Coventry with less than 20 minutes to save themselves and to give credit, they had the chances to possibly grab an unlikely point.

Reid was close to a second as Nelson palmed over a fierce drive; substitute Ben Stevenson was fractionally wide from 25 yards before in injury time Nelson made his second stunning save of the day to deny Sordell’s shot on the turn – the striker did well on the edge of the box to get a shot in that was destined for the bottom corner before Nelson palmed the ball away magnificently.

The final whistle saw Priestfield rise as one to acclaim just the side’s second win at home this season.  And there was even a smile from the manager as he signed programmes for some of the “extra” young supporters as his side left the pitch – a smile that showed that maybe, just maybe, his side do know how to close out a game after all!

GILLINGHAM – Stuart Nelson, Ryan Jackson (Emmanuel Osadebe 55), Max Ehmer, Adedeji Oshilaja, Scott Wagstaff, Ryan Donnelly (Jay Emmanel-Thomas 69), Cody McDonald, Billy Knott, Paul Konchesky, Bradley Dack, Josh Wright (Mark Byrne H/T).

Subs not used: Tom Hadler, Josh Pask, Darren Oldaker, Elliott List.

Goals: Ehmer (26), Knott (72).

COVENTRY – Reice Charles-Cook, Jordan Willis, Jordan Turnbull, Gael Bigirimana, Kyel Reid, Vladimir Gadzhev (Dan Agyei 74), Lewis Page, Marvin Sordell, Sam Ricketts, Andre Wright (Ben Stevenson 71), Dion Kelly-Evans (Jodi Jones H/T).

Subs not used: Lameiras, Tudgay, Harries, Addai.

Goal: Reid (21).

Booked: Kelly-Evans (29), Bigirimana (58).

Referee: Mr Brett Huxtable

Attendance: 7,664

Image courtesy of Kent Pro Images