Gillingham’s winning run at Priestfield came to an end on Tuesday night – but they stay top.
The Gills found themselves behind at the break, with a goal from Grimsby’s Kieran Green, and couldn’t find their way back into the match as they struggled to create many meaningful chances.
Gillingham had gone into their midweek clash with a perfect record at Priestfield in the league, with five wins from five. Despite the defeat the Gills remain top of the table, a point ahead of Notts County.
Manager Mark Bonner made two changes to his line-up, with Robbie McKenzie playing right-back for the absent Remeao Hutton and Jonny Williams starting ahead of George Lapslie.
It was a positive enough start from the Gills, and they had plenty of the ball in the first half, with over 60% possession, but it proved to be a frustrating first 45 minutes.
There were a number of moments where things almost came together, crosses from Jayden Clarke and Jack Nolan that went close to being converted, but it was Grimsby who led at the break.
Denver Hume was the Town creator, running at the Gills defence before sliding in a pass for Green and he picked his spot past Glenn Morris.
Green almost levelled the match by scoring in his own net, after Shad Ogie’s low cross/shot cannoned off his leg and went just wide.
Gillingham played out the rest of the half with most of the ball but it just wasn’t clicking for them where it mattered, ending the first period without properly testing the visiting keeper.
Grimsby goalie Jackson Smith had only joined the team the day before, on an emergency seven-day loan from Barnsley, after injuries to the club’s other senior goalkeepers.
Elliott Nevitt was working hard to create an opening in the early stages of the second half, he had one shot blocked and almost got on the end of a long throw from McKenzie.
Nevitt’s big chance came from a Jayden Clarke cross that was played in with pace across the face of goal but the Gills striker couldn’t direct the ball on target.
With just over 10 minutes left Bonner sacrificed central defender Shad Ogie for Oli Hawkins, who joined Nevitt upfront, leaving three at the back.
Gills came close to an equaliser from a Nolan corner which dropped in the box for Tim Dieng – making his return after over a month out injured – but he stabbed the ball wide.
Grimsby were running down the clock whenever they got the chance, with several players going to ground, as the Gills searched for an equaliser.
George Lapslie had a shot blocked at the end of normal time. There were seven minutes added on but the Gills still couldn’t find a way past the Grimsby defence.
Gillingham: Morris, McKenzie, Clark, Ehmer, Ogie (Hawkins 79mins), Little, Coleman (Gbode 73mins), J Williams (Lapslie 62mins), Nolan, Clarke (Dieng 73mins), Nevitt. Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Wyllie, Wakeling.
Grimsby: Smith, Cass, Hume, Rodgers, McJannet, McEachran, Khouri, Green (Tharme 87mins), Svanthorsson (Pyke 65mins), Barrington (Gardner 65mins), Rose (Wilson 73mins). Subs not used: Auton, Ainley, Warren.
Referee: Carl Brook
Attendance: 5,652 (270 away)
