Three second half goals from a resurgent Gillingham side saw them make it four wins in a row against Barnet at Priestfield on Tuesday night.

Trailing to Clovis Kamdjo’s first half strike and having had defender Garry Richards stretchered off with a broken ankle, The Gills put in a terrific second half show to make it five games unbeaten.

Substitute Dennis Oli was on hand to fire home just seconds after coming on at the break and Jordan Obita tapped home after the Barnet keeper fumbled with fifteen minutes to go.

Charlie Lee wrapped up the scoring with his third goal at Priestfield in two games with three minutes left on the clock to seal Gillingham’s first win against the Bees at home in sixteen years.

With a raft of injuries plaguing Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler, it was a case of who was available to take to the field with Essam back to partner Garry Richards in defence whilst there was a first start for Ashley Miller alongside Danny Kedwell in attack.

The hosts started the brighter of the two teams and an early shot from Charlie Lee missed Liam O’Brien’s post by inches.   The Bees struggled to get out of their own half in the opening exchanges as Gillingham applied good pressure.

Lee once again came close as he saw a good free-kick well saved before O’Brien reacted brilliantly to deny a Chris Whelpdale header.

Meanwhile, Gillingham were forced into an early change with Richards stretchered off after an off the ball incident with Izale McLeod that left the defender with a suspected broken ankle.

Barnet attacked and created a couple of good chances. Jordan Mustoe sent a free-kick over the bar before Mark Byrne saw a shot well saved. Izale McLeod did score the rebound only to be flagged offside.

McLeod received abuse from the home fans throughout the half but it seemed to fire the striker up and he did well to skip past two players before seeing his shot deflected wide.

From the resulting corner Barnet took the lead. The ball in ended up at the feet of Ricky Holmes whose whipped cross found Kamdjo to turn the ball home.

At the break Andy Hessenthaler made a change as Danny Kedwell was replaced by Oli. While some substitutions don’t pay off, this one certainly did for the Gills.

Within one minute of the restart Oli levelled the game by firing across O’Brien and into the corner from a tight angle.

The goal didn’t shake the Bees confidence and despite the absence of McLeod they continued to create chances.

Mark Byrne came close with a half volley after a good work from Taylor and sliced another effort wide.

The Gills had rarely threatened since equalising and Obita should have done better after working his way into the box only to shoot wide.

Barnet looked more likely to get a second goal and only good defending stopped Byrne from having a clear shot on goal from 12 yards.

The Gills soaked up the Bees pressure and went ahead through former Barnet player Obita.

Good work from Oli allowed him to tee up Ashley Miller. His shot was only parried away and Obita was on hand to tap in the rebound.

Sam Deering was replaced by Andy Yiadom and the winger’s first contribution was to skip past three players before seeing his shot saved by Paulo Gazzaniga.

The Gills wrapped the game up in the closing stages thanks to a well worked goal from Lee. A great pass out wide found the full-back and he had time to take a touch before drilling his shot into the top corner.

Yiadom looked lively since his introduction and he had another shot saved but the Gills saw out the match with ease to leave the Bees deep in a relegation scrap and The Gills looking at a top seven place.

FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM 3-1 BARNET

Tuesday’s win keeps Gillingham eighth in League Two, but crucially they are just a point behind Oxford United in seventh with Crewe to visit Priestfield on Saturday afternoon.

Gills line up: Gazzaniga, C Lee, Richards (Davies 14), Essam, Jackman, Whelpdale, Montrose, O Lee (Spiller 63), Obita, Kedwell (Oli H/T), Miller.

Subs not used: Hawkes, Brown.

Goals: Oli (46), Obita (76), C Lee (87).

Booked: Essam (42), C Lee (66).

Barnet line up: O’Brien, Hajrovic, Hector, Kamdjo, Mustoe, Byrne, Deering (Yiadom 82), Hughes, Holmes, McLeod (Taylor 45), McLeish.

Subs not used: Brill, N’Diaye, Parkes.

Goal: Kamdjo (39).

Booked: Hughes (52)

Referee: Mr Carl Berry

Attendance: 3,751 (84 Barnet)