Gillingham continued their excellent run of form with a fifth win in eight games as they beat Northampton Town at Sixfields.

Josh Parker and Tom Eaves scored in the first half to send Gills back in the top half as Northampton dropped to 20th, just two points above the relegation zone.

Only six minutes had passed when Parker capitalised on poor defending to run at the home defence and hammer a 20-yard shot into the top corner.

It could have been two for the dominant visitors as Eaves somehow cleared the crossbar from four yards, but he atoned for that miss on 18 minutes when poking in Luke O’Neill’s drilled cross.

Northampton had been outplayed and they were fortunate not to be further behind after Parker’s header was ruled out for offside and Eaves sent another shot just wide.

The home side got back into the game 10 minutes into the second half when Ash Taylor delicately guided Matt Grimes’ free-kick into the corner but Tomas Holy denied Gboly Ariyibi in their only other chance and Gillingham held on.

Another three points on the road sees The Gills climb to 12th place in League One, crucially just six points outside the play-off places now.

Steve Lovell’s side will now prepare for Saturday’s visit of Walsall to Priestfield with a renewed sense of optimism.

 

Northampton Town line up: O’Donnell, Moloney, Taylor, Foley (Pereira H/T), Powell (Mathis 83), Hoskins (Ariyibi 57), Long, O’Toole, Grimes, Turnbull, Bunney.

Subs not used: Cornell, Barnett, McWilliams, Crooks.

Goal: Taylor (56).

Booked: Powell (20), Grimes (31), Turnbull (64), Pereira (93).

Sent Off: Pereira (95).

 

Gillingham line up: Holy, Ogilvie, O’Neill, Nugent (Martin 71), Zakuani, Ehmer, Byrne, Hessenthaler, Reilly (Wagstaff 71), Eaves, Parker.

Subs not used: Hadler, Garmston, Moussa, List, Wilkinson.

Goals: Parker (6), Eaves (18).

Booked: Reilly (11), Ogilvie (63), O’Neill (79).

 

Referee: Mr Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 5,123 (419 Gills)