Gillingham registered their 13th league game in a row unbeaten on Saturday afternoon with an eventful 2-1 victory over fellow play-off chasers Doncaster Rovers. 

In a game both sides desperately needed to win, Ben Sheaf gave the visitors the lead with a brilliant long-range strike that gave Gillingham ‘keeper Jack Bonham no chance. 

The game was turned on its head just before half time when Rovers forward Fejiri Okenabirhie was show a red card for an elbow on Gills defender Barry Fuller. 

Two own goals from Doncaster defender Cameron John then gave Gillingham the victory.

It was clear from the off that the stormy conditions were going to have an impact on the game as the ball flew about in the wind, troubling the players and managers alike. 

It didn’t take long, however, for Doncaster to take the lead.

Sheaf picked up the ball on the right after 13 minutes and cut inside onto his left foot. When greeted with some space, he opted to shoot rather than run and bent a beauty of a strike past a hopeless Jack Bonham from 25 yards.

The Gills didn’t let the goal bother them, however, and began to settle and take control of the game without really testing Seng Dieng in the away goal. 

Doncaster were dealt with a huge blow after 38 minutes, though, when forward Fejiri Okenabirhie saw red for an elbow on veteran defender Barry Fuller. The referee quickly consulted his assistant before making the decision, and the Rovers number nine was sent on his way.

With the pressure on Gillingham to attack it didn’t take long for them to level proceedings. It was just before half time when Tom O’Connor whipped in a corner that seemed to go all the way in, but replays show Doncaster defender Cameron John got a touch on the ball. The important thing was that the Gills were level before Doncaster manager Darren Moore had the chance to talk to his team at half time following the dismissal.

Many in the stands expected Gillingham to come out of the blocks in the second half given their man advantage and shooting towards the Rainham End, and the players obliged, applying constant pressure in their efforts to find a winner.

A second came after 67 minutes when great work out wide from Jordan Roberts resulted in John putting into his own net for the second time in the game.

Gillingham continued to press with both John Akinde and Roberts missing good opportunities, but they were almost made to pay when Devante Cole missed a free header deep into stoppage time.

Gillingham saw it out in the end, and earned a vital three points.

Gillingham: Bonham, O’Keefe (Willock 64), Ehmer, Ogilvie, Hanlan, Roberts (Charles-Cook 90), Fuller, Akinde, Pringle (Graham 82), O’Connor, Tucker. 

Subs not used: Walsh, Mandron, Lee, Woods.

Goals: John OG (44, 67)

Doncaster: Dieng, Halliday, Anderson, Wright, Sheaf, Whiteman, Okenabirhie, Ramsey, Blair (Sadlier 72) , Ennis (Cole 79), John.

Subs: Jones, Taylor, Gomes, Amos, Coppinger

Goals: Sheaf (13)

Attendance: 4754 (250 away)

Referee: Mr. J. Smith