The scoreline doesn’t reflect the performance as Gillingham lost 4-2 at Sunderland in League One on Tuesday night.

Steve Lovell’s side travelled north buoyed by the 1-0 win at home to Scunthorpe United on Saturday afternoon, but were unable to take anything from a game they probably deserved a point from.

Jack Ross’ side claimed the lead after just four minutes, with Lee Cattermole stabbing home at the back post after Grant Leadbitter’s corner was deflected into his path.

The Black Cats’ lead lasted just two minutes, however, with Tom Eaves racing clear of the opposition defence to round goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin and stab home ahead of Tom Flanagan.

Flanagan gained revenge four minutes later, heading home another excellent corner from Leadbitter to ensure the game continued at a breakneck pace.

Neither defence was covering itself in glory and with the Sunderland backline proving every bit as incapable of dealing with set-pieces as the Gillingham back four, the visitors levelled for a second time five minutes before the break.

Sunderland’s defenders failed to clear their lines, and while Leonardo Da Silva Lopes’ shot was blocked, the ball broke kindly for an unmarked Brandon Hanlan to sweep home.

The game slowed slightly in the second half, but Sunderland’s attacking prowess proved decisive as they claimed the lead for a third time in the 66th minute.

Lopes tripped Luke O’Nien as he was shaping to shoot from Reece James’ cross, and Will Grigg side-footed home from the penalty spot to claim his first goal since a £4m move from Wigan.

O’Nien won another penalty with 13 minutes left, drawing a foul from Regan Charles-Cook, and this time Aiden McGeady stepped up to convert from the spot.

 

Sunderland line up: McLaughlin, Cattermole (Power 89), Maguire (Gooch 18), Honeyman, Flanagan, O’Nien, James, McGeady, Grigg, Leadbitter (McGeogh 85), Dunne.

Subs not used: Ruiter, Ozturk, Wyke, Morgan.

Goals: Cattermole (4), Flanagan (10), Grigg (pen 66), McGeady (pen 77).

Booked: Honeyman (54), Dunne (69).

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Fuller, Ehmer, Ogilvie, Byrne, Lopes (Charles-Cook 69), Oldaker (List 74), Burke (Parrett 90), Eaves, Hanlan.

Subs not used: Hadler, Reilly, King, Campbell.

Goals: Eaves (6), Hanlan (40).

Booked: Burke (34), Byrne (59), Da Silva Lopes (65).

Referee: Mr Matt Donohue

Attendance: 28,364 (331 Gills)