Gillingham began 2023 the same as they finished 2022 – pointless and goalless – as new owner Brad Galinson looked on.

Former boss Steve Evans saw his Stevenage side continue their challenge at the top of League Two whilst for Neil Harris and the Gills, they’re now a further point adrift of safety at the League’s basement.

Twenty-two places separated the two before kick-off, yet it was just a solitary first half strike from Carl Piergianni that was to seal the points for Stevenage, whilst the Gills were left licking their wounds, as despite an improved performance, no points over the Christmas period must heap pressure on Neil Harris despite the takeover.

With Glenn Morris returning in goal for the Gills, Harris made two other changes from the defeat at Sutton as Mika Mandron and Stuart O’Keefe also returned to the starting eleven.

Elkan Baggott also missed out after injuring himself in the pre match warm up.

Against the side with the best home record in the division, the Gills could have made the dream start had Alex MacDonald been able to capitalise on going through one on one with home keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond – sadly for the Gills, the keeper stood big and strong and MacDonald was unable to force the ball home as the Gills enjoyed some good early possession.

MacDonald then went close again with a drive before Stevenage showed why they are at the top end of the table as despite being on the back foot, Piergianni put the home side in front as the Stevenage captain gave Morris no chance with a powerful header that nestled in the bottom corner.

Yet despite the setback, the Gills came agonisingly close to levelling before the break. Robbie McKenzie glanced MacDonald’s corner beyond Ashby-Hammond only for the keeper to be saved by a defender’s boot on the line and the lead was preserved at the break.

Half-time came at the wrong time for Harris and his players, and the home side duly dominated lengthy periods of the second half with Morris making excellent saves to deny Danny Rose and Jordan Roberts.

When you’re at the foot of the table you don’t seem to get the bounce of the ball and so it proved yet again in the closing stages as McKenzie again beat Ashby-Hammond – this time with a low shot – but the ball missed the post by fractions and the visitor’s chances to bring a point home from Hertfordshire went with it.

With all focus now on the weekend’s televised sold out FA Cup tie against former Premier League Champions Leicester City, many of the travelling fans returning to Kent this Bank Holiday Monday will have had thoughts on just what the team – and indeed the home dug out –will look like to start the climb up the Football League with the massive League game with Hartlepool United come to Priestfield.

STEVENAGE – Ashby-Hammond, Wildin, Sweeney, Vancooten (Bostwick 56), Piergianni, Clark, Roberts (Taylor 96), Reeves, Gilbey, Rose, Norris (Reid 72).

Subs not used – Chapman, Campbell, Smith, Amoo.

Goal: Piergianni (23).

Booked: Sweeney (34), Gilbey (64), Rose (88).

GILLINGHAM – Morris, McKenzie, Wright, Ehmer, Tutonda, Williams, O’Keefe (Harriott 70), MacDonald, Jefferies, Mandron, Kashket (Adelakun 70).

Subs not used – Turner, Alexander, Law, Lee.

Booked: Wright (37).

Referee – Mr Carl Boyeson

Attendance: 3,703

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.