On a wet and wild night at Priestfield, Gillingham registered their biggest win of the season at home base, with arguably their best performance of the campaign, as they completed a league double over Crewe Alexandra.

The Railwaymen arrived in Kent in form – unbeaten in their last ten League One games – but left a well beaten side as Steve Evans’ side turned on the style racing into a three-goal half time lead courtesy of Jordan Graham’s penalty – his sixth goal of the season (his third spot kick) and his first since returning from injury – Olly Lee’s first since his return to the club and skipper Kyle Dempsey’s third goal since Christmas.

Lee’s second just past the hour was the icing on the cake and not even a late Porter goal could take any of the gloss off a fantastic win on the wettest and wildest night seen at Priestfield for some time.

Evans made one change from the side that grabbed a point against Rochdale on Saturday handing a debut to Robbie Cundy in place of the unlucky Alex MacDonald who dropped to the bench whilst former Gills striker Mickael Mandron had to be content with a place on the Alex bench.

Crewe showed why they were one of the form sides in the division as they hit the ground running, and but for an early goal line clearance from Jack Tucker – from Oli Finney’s shot – they would have taken an early lead.

But instead, it was the Gills who scored as Graham netted his first goal since the home draw with Charlton. The winger got on the end of some great approach play before being floored in the box by a clumsy Tyler Johnson foul. He duly dusted himself down and drove the ball beyond keeper Dave Richards from twelve yards.

The visitors rallied and twice went close – Omar Beckles headed straight at Jack Bonham and Finney shot wide – before Lee netted his first goal back at Priestfield. Graham this time turned provider as he found the Hearts loanee who gleefully buried the ball into the bottom corner beyond Richards’ reach.

Two nil became three nil just before the break. Vadaine Oliver – who just before had had a header (from Tom O’Connor’s cross) well saved by Richards – disposessed a defender, his ball was brilliantly diverted by Lee into Dempsey’s path and the skipper brilliantly rode a challenge before despatching his fifth goal of the season with a low drive.

Three up at the break and the Gills rubber stamped their biggest home win of the season just past the hour. Ryan Jackson’s long throw from in front of the Medway Stand was helped on by Connor Ogilvie to loop a header past a helpless Richards.

Oliver was then unfortunate not to get a fifth as he got on the end of Cundy’s flick from another Jackson long throw – this time from in front of the Gordon Road Stand – to beat Richards only to be “beaten” himself by an assistant’s flag.

The visitors did get on the scoresheet ten minutes from time when Porter bundled home a cross, and Finney was denied a last gasp second – only to be denied by a great save from Jack Bonham.

A great win then for Gillingham as they prepare for one of the most daunting trips of the season at the weekend as they make one of the longest trips of the season to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland.

Gillingham line up: Bonham, Jackson, Tucker, Cundy, Ogilvie, Slattery, O’Connor, Dempsey, Lee (O’Keefe 91), Graham (MacDonald 90), Oliver (Akinde 88).

Subs not used: McKenzie, Johnson, Willock.

Goals: Graham (pen 11), Lee (38), (62), Dempsey (45).

Booked: Oliver (46), Cundy (67), Akinde (93).

Crewe Alexandra line up: Richards, Johnson, Lancashire, Beckles, Adebisi, Finney, Wintle (Evans 74), Lowery (Murphy 63), Dale (Walker 62), Kirk (Griffiths 79), Porter.

Subs not used: Jaaskelainen, Mandron, Sass-Davies.

Goal: Porter (80).

Booked: Johnson (94).

Referee: Mr Alan Young

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.