Gillingham’s wait for a win and even a goal this season goes on after defeat at Milton Keynes Dons.

Ady Pennock’s side went north(ish) to the roundabout laden town hoping to kickstart their season, but in the end had to return to Kent with nothing.

Without the services of the suspended Conor Wilkinson, Pennock opted for a side he thought was capable of getting something from a game that Gills could have at least claimed a point from.

Osman Sow scored on his MK Dons debut to hand his new side their first points of the League One season, whilst Gillingham were left to rue missed chances.

Sow’s strike was also the Dons’ first goal of the campaign and proved the difference after both sides missed late penalties.

Kieran Agard saw his effort saved while Josh Wright blazed over the bar in a dramatic final few minutes at Stadium mk.

Following a drab first half, it was a hopeful ball into the Gillingham box from Aaron Tshibola little more than a minute after the resumption that found Sow lurking at the back post, and the Swede nodded home.

The Dons should have doubled their lead 10 minutes from time after Ryan Seager was brought down by Gillingham goalkeeper Tomas Holy inside the box.

However, Agard’s resulting spot-kick was well saved by the 25-year-old custodian.

Gillingham’s Josh Wright was then given his opportunity to level the tie with his own penalty three minutes from time after Dons goalkeeper Lee Nicholls was judged to have fouled Liam Nash in the box.

But the Gills midfielder blasted his spot-kick over the crossbar as the Dons recorded their first win of the season.

The defeat leaves Gillingham sitting 20th in League One, just outside the drop zone on goal difference, with Southend United coming to Priestfield next Saturday.

 

MK Dons line up: Nicholls, Williams, Walsh, Ebanks-Landell, Wootton, Cisse, Tshibola, Ariyibi (Upson 81), Muirhead (Pawlett 52), Seager, Sow (Agard 60)

Subs not used: Sietsma, Lewington, McGrandles, Brittain.

Goal: Sow (47).

Booked: Tshibola (36), Cisse.

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Lacey (Oldaker 81), Ehmer, Zakuani, Eaves, Martin, Ogilvie, Parker (Nash 62), Byrne, Wright

Subs not used: Arnold, Hessenthaler, Nugent, Simpson, Cundle, Nash

Booked: Byrne (39), Ehmer (76), Martin.

Referee: Trevor Kettle

Attendance: 7,901