Steve Lovell’s hopes of landing the Gillingham job were boosted with three massive points at Rotherham United.

Another away victory for The Gills at the New York Stadium will undoubtedly put Lovell in pole position to secure the Gills manager position.

The Millers, who had Joe Mattock sent off late on, had won their previous five at home but the Gills fully deserved their third league win of the season.

The visitors took a second-minute lead with Josh Parker bundling in from Billy Bingham’s corner.

Rotherham’s top scorer Kieffer Moore then glanced a cross from Joe Newell just over the crossbar.

Gillingham started the second half strongly and doubled their lead after 48 minutes when Jake Hessenthaler picked out Tom Eaves to head in from close-range.

Moore pulled one back in the 57th minute as he latched onto a long ball from Darren Potter and powered past Tomas Holy.

Rotherham’s hopes of gaining a point faded when Mattock was sent off with five minutes to go following two yellow cards in quick succession for a foul and dissent.

Gillingham sealed the victory after 86 minutes with Bingham and Parker combining again from a corner for the latter to score.

The victory sees The Gills climb one place to 22nd in League One, but crucially they now have their sights on a place outside the relegation zone.

Lovell will surely now be in charge when Gillingham entertain Leyton Orient in the FA Cup next Saturday.

 

Rotherham United line up: Rodak, Cummings, Ihiekwe, Wood, Mattock, Williams (Yates 989), Potter, Towell (Ball 53), Newell, Forde (Taylor 53), Moore.

Subs not used: O’Donnell, Emmanuel, Ajayi, Clarke-Harris.

Goal: Moore (56).

Booked: Wood (82), Mattock (85).

Sent Off: Mattock (85).

Gillingham line up: Holy, Clare, Garmston (Ogilvie H/T), Ehmer, Zakuani (O’Neill 69), Bingham, Hessenthaler, Martin, Parker, Eaves, List (Wagstaff 58).

Subs not used: Nelson, Wilkinson, Cundle, Byrne.

Goals: Parker (2), (86), Eaves (47).

Booked: Ogilvie (96).

Referee: Mr Carl Boyeson

Attendance: 7,865 (274 Gills)