Sub Tom Eaves bagged a brace to continue Gillingham’s perfect start to the season with victory over Burton Albion.

Eaves came on after 33 minutes for the injured Dean Parrett and scored either side of the break at Priestfield, with Luke O’Neill getting the other goal for the Gills.

Liam Boyce had given the visitors the lead after 26 minutes with his second goal of the season after picking up the scraps from Kyle McFadzean’s header.

But Eaves levelled within two minutes of coming onto the pitch with the striker timing a run to perfection before coolly slotting past Stephen Bywater with his first touch in the 35th minute.

With virtually the last kick of the first half Brandon Hanlan rattled the bar for the hosts.

The Gills had their deserved lead after 51 minutes with Luke O’Neill’s unstoppable free-kick from 23 yards out evading Bywater.

Burton began fiercely knocking on the door to draw level, with Tomas Holy making a fine save to deny Scott Fraser.

But Eaves sealed the three points when he pounced on a loose ball after 77 minutes.

Despite the win, Gillingham drop to fourth place in the fledgling League One table on goal difference with Steve Lovell’s side facing a trip to the New Den on Tuesday night to take on Millwall in the EFL Cup.

 

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Garmston, Ehmer, Zakuani, Bingham, Byrne, Parrett (Eaves 33), Charles-Cook, Hanlan, Parker.

Subs not used: Hadler, Lacey, Eaves, Fuller, Nasseri, Nash, Stevenson.

Goals: Eaves (33), (77), O’Neill (51).

Booked: Parker (93), O’Neill (96).

Burton Albion line up: Bywater, Brayford, McFadzean (Buxton 84), Turner, Fraser (Templeton 78), Sbarra, Atkins, Fox, McCrory (Hutchinson 17), Sordell, Boyce.

Subs not used: Campbell, Harness, Hodge.

Goal: Boyce (26).

Booked: McFazdean (79).

Referee: Mr Lee Probert

Attendance: 5,016 (181 Burton)

Picture supplied by Kent Pro Images