Gillingham’s first away win since mid-August lifted them back into the Play Off places with a welcome midweek win in Wiltshire against old rivals Swindon Town. 

A solitary strike from Connor Mahoney midway through the first half sealed the points for Keith Millen’s side in what is likely to be the interim manager’s final away League game in charge as the Gills do not travel in League Two again until they head to Wrexham on Remembrance weekend in November. 

And it was Mahoney who had the first chance of the game with a shot that forced his namesake in the Swindon goal to palm the ball over the bar and from the corner, Connor nearly caught the keeper out as the Swindon keeper was relieved to back pedal just enough to claw the ball behind for another corner, which came to nothing! 

What ended up being the game’s only goal came from a Cheye Alexander throw which found Connor Mahoney and as he shot, it took a deflection that completely wrong footed the keeper and ended in the home net. 

Jake Young almost replied instantly for the home side, but his shot was magnificently turned away by Jake Turner before veteran striker Charlie Austin will have been disappointed with a glancing header that did not worry the Gills keeper. 

Macauley Bonne, again ploughing a lone furrow up front was then denied by a super stop by the keeper as he raced through. The Swindon keeper came out and was big as the Gills striker shot and palmed the ball behind by a huge left hand. 

Alexander had the second period’s first chance and what a chance it was as the full back hit a pile driver that was heading for the top corner until Mahoney went full length to pull off a top draw save.  

Remeao Hutton had Swindon’s first chance of the second half as they pressed for an equaliser, but again Turner was at his best to keep the home side out, before with seventeen minutes left the Gills and Alexander had an even better chance than his earlier drive as the visitors were awarded a penalty after George Lapslie was upended – Alexander’s spot kick though, although beating a statuesque keeper sailed past the right post too. 

The home side dominated increasingly in the closing stages as they tried to level the scores, but Dan Kemp’s shot was tipped round the post by Turner and Hutton’s late header sailed over the bar deep into stoppage time when perhaps he should have scored! 

Job done then for the Gills and now they return to Priestfield to face Newport County at the weekend – whether Millen will get a chance to win games back-to-back in the manager’s seat is now down to the Gallinsons who were jubilant watchers at the County Ground. 

Swindon Town: Mahoney, Hutton, Godwin-Malife, Minturn (Clayton 80), Blake-Tracy, Hutton, McEachran, Khan, Shade (Obodo 87), Kemp, Young, Austin (Hepburn-Murphy 69).

Subs not used: Ward, Genesini, Kinsella.

Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Masterson, Ogie, Malone, Coleman, Jefferies, Mahoney (S. Williams 81), J. Williams (Lapslie 61), Clarke (Ehmer 76), Bonne (Nichols 81).

Subs not used: Morris, Orji, Clark.

Goal: Mahoney (22).

Booked: Clarke (68), Alexander (79).

Referee: Mr Peter Wright

Attendance: 8853 (610 Gills)