Gillingham played for half an hour with ten men as they clinched another home win on Saturday.
Armani Little put Gillingham ahead early in the second half against Tranmere Rovers, and although they had Ethan Coleman sent off after an hour, the home side scored twice more on the break through Jayden Clarke.
Tranmere were unable to get themselves back in the match with a man advantage as the Gills picked up maximum points – three wins from three at home for Mark Bonner’s side.
Joe Gbode impressed again after being handed a first start under manager Bonner, replacing Clarke in the starting eleven on the wing.
Striker Elliott Nevitt lined up for the Gills in his first start since his summer move, up against his former club while captain Max Ehmer returned from suspension.
For the third time running, the opposition opted to turn the teams around for the opening half, which mean the Gills kicking off towards the Rainham End.
It led to a bright and dominant first 10 minutes for the Gills as Tranmere were given little time for a breather. A cross with pace from Armani Little was just a fraction too high for Nevitt to connect with from close range.
Tranmere took every advantage to slow the pace of the game down, going to ground on numerous occasions to the frustration of the Gills.
The visitors survived the early barrage and worked their way into the contest through Omari Patrick on their right flank. He’d scored all three of Tranmere’s goals in the early weeks of the league campaign.
With just one goal conceded, Tranmere were no mugs at the back. They restricted the Gills well but there were still a couple of chances, Nevitt and Gbode firing over the bar when well placed.
It was a day where clinical finishing was required.
Tranmere’s only on-target shot of the half was a low and weak effort from Patrick but it needed a terrific block from Shad Ogie to deny Connor Jennings.
Within three minutes of the restart the Gills had the lead.
Gbode brought the ball out from the back and after several passes forward it was Nolan’s pass to Hutton inside the box that opened things up, and when the ball was pulled back, Little was there to finish.
Tranmere looked for an instant response and Glenn Morris was forced into his first real save of the match to beat away an effort from Patrick.
Gillingham were left to play the final 30 minutes with 10 men after Coleman picked up a second booking, both for fouls.
Morris had to dive at full stretch to deny Saidou Khan with a shot from outside the box amid a flurry of substitutions from both teams.
Gillingham put themselves two goals ahead with eight minutes left when Wyllie, on the break, slipped in fellow substitute Clarke and he finished past the keeper despite pressure from a defender.
They almost added a third soon after but Jacob Wakeling ignored the chance to assist as he blasted in a shot on the run, hitting the side netting.
Clarke added the third with a minute left of normal play, once more running onto a throughball from Wyllie as the Gills broke forward. Keeper Luke McGee saved his first shot but couldn’t keep out the follow-up.
Harvey Saudners headed a good chance over for Tranmere during eight of the added-on minutes at the end of the game.
League 2 table
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Clark, Ehmer, Ogie, Coleman, Little, Nolan (Wakeling 66mins), Gbode (Clarke 66mins), Lapslie, Nevitt (Wyllie 70mins). Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Hawkins, Williams, Giles.
Tranmere: McGee, Norman, Davies, Turnbull, Morris (Dennis 76mins), Hendry, Davison (Norris 57mins), Jennings, O’Connor (Khan 57mins), Wood, Patrick (Saunders 57mins). Subs not used: Murphy, Bradshaw, Merrie.
Referee: Will Finnie
Attendance: 6,660 (281 away)
