Robbie McKenzie’s fourth goal of the season was enough for Gillingham to once again secure success against League Two’s form side as Mark Bonner’s side earned their first away win since September as MK Dons were beaten at stadium.mk.
The Gills have struggled of late and seemed to have hit rock bottom after defeats to Harrogate and Bromley, but perhaps now are turning the corner as Christmas approaches.
Bonner took his charges to Milton Keynes just four points behind their hosts for the day who occupied the final Play Off berth with the manager making a couple of changes from the win over Salford with Aaron Rowe and Jack Nolan both starting and young Harry Webster keeping his place at full-back.
Scott Hogan missed a glorious chance for the home side early on and MK started brightly, and Nolan had the first chance for the Gills but couldn’t keep his shot down as it flew into the stands behind the goal.
As the home side upped the tempo, Gills were indebted to Glenn Morris for a terrific stop to deny Joe Pritchard as the Dons striker raced through as a green shirt slipped allowing the striker room to race clear.
On the stroke of the break, Hogan went close to giving the home side the lead but was brilliantly denied by Max Ehmer with Conor Masterson hammering the ball away as it ran loose.
The Gills started the second period well and Nolan went close to opening the scoring after Masterson’s pass rebounded to Rowe and Nolan snap shop was bundled round the post by keeper Tom McGill, and from the corner, Gillingham took the lead. The corner was half-cleared only as far as McKenzie, who drove the ball back towards goal and it sailed straight through McGill in the home goal and into the net leaving the pink cladded goalkeeper with a very red face.
The look on manager Scott Lindsey’s face said it all…
A stretching Elliot Nevitt then went close for the Gills but couldn’t keep his effort down and shortly after, Ehmer went even closer with the skipper inches away for converting a long ball across the box.
With the final whistle within touching distance, there was an almighty scramble in Morris’ box as Liam Kellys ball into a crowded box saw three Dons’ players attempt to prod the ball home, but Morris was king and came out holding the ball.
MK DONS – McGill, Offord, Lawrence (Carroll), Maguire, Nemane, White, Kelly, Pritchard (Hendry), Wearne (Harrison), Gilbey, Hogan
Subs – MacGillivray, Lewington, Sherring, Thompson-Sommers,
GILLINGHAM – Morris, Webster (Hutton), Ehmer, Masterson, Max Clark, Coleman, McKenzie, Rowe (Ogie), Nolan (Euan Williams), Jayden Clarke (Dack), Nevitt (Andrews)
Subs – Turner, Jonny Williams
REFEREE – Mr. Baines
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC