Gillingham slipped to defeat in South Wales as a solitary goal was enough for Newport County to win a close game and send the Gills home pointless.
Home striker Will Evans’ 23rd goal of the season was enough to win the game as once again, Steven Clemence watched on as his side failed to convert any of the numerous chances they made, indeed Evans’ strike now means that the Gills as a team have only scored eight more than the Welsh striker.
Shad Ogie made what appeared to be a miraculous recovery from his injury that forced him off at half-time against Swindon in midweek to take his place alongside skipper Max Ehmer and Connor Masterson at the back.
And in the opening half, both defences dominated with hardly any chances worthy of the note, the Gills hearts were though in their mouths at one point however as Seb Palmer-Houlden beat Jake Turner to a cross but sent his header wide of the visitor’s goal.
At the other end sadly, the Gills struggled after being rocked before the game with the news that potentially Jorge Hurtado’s loan and season are over after a knee injury picked up in midweek.
Bryn Morris had the second half’s first chance for the home side but was denied by Turner before Evans beat the Gills keeper from the edge of the area with a great finish on the hour.
Palmer-Houlden was then brilliantly denied a second for County by a brilliant Max Ehmer block before Oli Hawkins powered a header over the bar from a corner.
What proved to be the visitors best chance to level came thirteen minutes from time.
Connor Mahoney’s low cross was met really well by Tim Dieng, but keeper Nick Townsend blocked the Frenchman’s effort but sadly for Dieng as the ball rebounded from the keeper, a horrible bobble meant that the follow up shot cleared the bar.
Try as they might, Gillingham could not find a way back and the home side moved to within a point of Steven Clemence’s side who in turn remain just a point off the Play Off places.
The 580 faithful who travelled to South Wales made the long trip back to Kent as their heroes prepare to face arguably their biggest week at Priestfield in some time, next weekend they welcome the cavalcade that currently is third placed Wrexham, whilst on Tuesday its leaders Stockport County who themselves are smarting from a 4-0 thumping by neighbours Tranmere. It’s going to be a hell of a week.
NEWPORT COUNTY – Townsend, Clarke, Bennett, Baker, McLoughlin, Wildig (Jameson), Lewis, Charsley (Bondswell), Morris, Palmer-Houlden (Zanzala), Evans
Subs – Maxted, Payne, Waite, Jephcott
GILLINGHAM – Turner, Hutton, Masterson, Ehmer, Ogie (Jonny Williams), Max Clark (Malone), Coleman, Lapslie (Nadesan), Dieng (Jayden Clarke), Mahoney, Hawkins (Walker)
Subs – Morris, McKenzie
REFEREE – Mr Yates
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC