A second-half header from Connor Ogilvie extended Gillingham’s unbeaten league run to 14 games as Steve Evans men took all three points back to Kent on Tuesday night.
Gillingham started with a 4-4-2 formation, but when attacking reverted to a 4-2-4 with Akinde, Roberts, Hanlan and Mandron occupying the front 4 and looking to attack a young Southend side from early on.
However, it wasn’t until the 26th minute that the best chance of the game arose, and it was for United, when a well hit free kick by McLaughin had Bonham rushing across his goal but luckily for Gills it flew just past the post.
The Gills, who were 13 unbeaten going into the game couldn’t get going in the first half and with crosses into the box and shots from distance, they weren’t really testing the debutant Seaden in the Southend goal.
Evans, who clearly wasn’t happy with the first half showing made a substitution at half time with Wolves Loanee Jordan Graham entering the frame, replacing Mikael Mandron. The Gills then reverting to a flat 4-4-2 with Graham and Roberts, occupying either wing with Hanlan and Akinde in the front two.
And Graham made an instant impact, receiving the ball down the right and swinging a wicked ball over towards Akinde, who at first thought a United defender had touched it in but managed to put it out for a Gillingham corner.
The best was yet to come for Graham and Gillingham. On 67 minutes, Gills found a way through, the ever present Graham received the ball on the right, a couple of step overs and whipped over a perfectly weighted ball into the Southend box, Ogilvie who found himself in the 6 yard box, managed to get ahead of Seaden in the Southend goal, powering a header home to put the Gills in front.
However, with time ticking for Campbell’s men and his youngsters they nearly took the three points away from Gills. A flick on from a Southend player, saw Matt Rush run through on goal and with the whole goal to aim at, could only put it wide of Jack Bonham’s goal.
The final whistle went shortly after that and three points went back across the Dartford bridge enabling the Gills to extend their unbeaten record to 14 league games.
With the Gills now 4 points off the top 6 the playoff dreams appear to be an ever increasing reality.