Two Tom Eaves goals saw Gillingham come from behind to beat Fleetwood Town and spark talk of the play-offs at Priestfield.

With the ground fuller than usual, buoyed by a great offer from the club, the rain poured steadily, whilst Gillingham took their time to get into a game where they took the three points, crucially lifting them further away from the League One relegation zone and another step closer to the elusive top six.

Eaves scored the 91st-minute penalty to earn Steve Lovell’s side the three points to the sound of delirium inside the MEMS Priestfield.

Irish striker Paddy Madden put the visitors in front on 13 minutes, tapping in Conor McAleny’s cross at the back post after his initial effort was well saved by Gills goalkeeper Tomas Holy from point-blank range.

Kyle Dempsey had earlier seen his 12-yard drive blocked by defender Luke O’Neill, before Holy parried Ashley Hunter’s stinging drive almost immediately after the opener.

Gillingham, who had won their last three matches, went close through captain Lee Martin when he chipped straight at Chris Neal from an acute angle and headed wide from a Mark Byrne throw.

Neal also saved a powerful 25-yard effort from Callum Reilly, while defender Max Ehmer should have pulled the hosts level after 49 minutes, but he saw his goal-bound header deflect wide.

Gills deserved their equaliser when Eaves powered a header home from O’Neill’s corner, despite the efforts of Madden on the Fleetwood goal-line.

Neal made two spectacular saves from close range to deny Eaves, and Lewie Coyle headed O’Neill’s cross off the line as the hosts dominated.

Holy ensured the game remained level with a brilliant fingertip save to keep out substitute Wes Burns’ looping header one minute from time.

However, Steve Lovell’s side snatched maximum points when Eaves converted a spot-kick in the first minute of stoppage-time and extend their unbeaten run to seven games with victory after Burns brought down Reilly.

The win takes The Gills up to 10th place in League One, just seven points off the play-off places now and they face the daunting task of heading to league leaders Wigan Athletic next Saturday.

 

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Garmston (Lacey 85), Ehmer, Zakuani (Ogilvie 61), Hessenthaler, Byrne, Reilly, Martin, Parker (List 83), Eaves.

Subs not used: Nelson, Nash, Moussa, Wilkinson.

Goals: Eaves (53), (pen 91).

Booked: Hessenthaler (40), Martin (67).

Fleetwood Town line up: Neal, Coyle, O’Connor, Eastham, Dempsey, McAleny (Hiwula 78), Bolger, Diagouraga, Madden, Glendon (Grant 69), Hunter (Burns 77).

Subs not used: Cairns, Rodgers, Jones, Schwabl.

Goal: Madden (13).

Booked: Diagouraga (48), Neal (85), Bolger (87), Madden (91).

Referee: Mr Brett Huxtable

Attendance: 6,332 (76 Fleetwood).