For the second weekend running Gillingham were beaten despite taking the lead.
A week after Accrington turned it around to win 2-1 at Priestfield, Bradford City did the same at Valley Parade. Jayden Clarke’s opener was cancelled out with first-half goals from Neill Byrne and Jack Shepherd.
It’s a fourth straight defeat in the league for the Gills who host out-of-form Newport County at Priestfield next on Tuesday night.
Gillingham manager Mark Bonner made six changes to his team for the trip to Bradford.
Armani Little was out injured, as was Elliott Nevitt and goalkeeper Glenn Morris. Jack Nolan, Shad Ogie and Marcus Wyllie were dropped to the bench.
It was a chance for several to put in their claim for a regular place in the team after a run of three straight defeats ahead of the weekend game. The line-up had a retro feel to it, one which didn’t have any of the summer signings in it.
Gillingham had an early let off when Calum Kavanagh thought he’d put Bradford ahead after just six minutes, turning the ball home after Turner could only get a touch on a cross to deflect it into the path of Shepherd, who sent the ball goalwards. An offside decision saved them.
Aside from the disallowed goal, it had been a bright start from the Gills and they took the lead – the first time Bradford had gone behind at home since the start of the season.
George Lapslie got the Gills on the front foot, played it on to former Bradford midfielder Tim Dieng and he cut the ball back for Clarke, who poked the ball home in off the post.
Gillingham almost had a second, with Lapslie again involved, winning the ball in his own half before crossing low and causing issues for Brad Halliday, who blocked Hawkins from getting a touch but almost scored himself, the ball bobbling just wide and hitting the outside of the woodwork on the way.
Bradford grew into the game and after a few half chances they levelled with six minutes of the half remaining.
Turner appeared to be crowded out by his own defenders as he tried to get a hand to Jamie Walker’s cross and Neill Byrne met the ball at the back post to equalise.
In first-half stoppage-time Bradford went ahead. The visitors struggled to clear when a free-kick was played in, Turner was again unconvincing as he misjudged an attempted punch and when the ball fell to Shepherd he lifted a shot over the carnage, beyond the Gillingham keeper and into the net.
Clarke Odour fired wide early in the second half for Bradford after a surging run forward and Turner needed to be at his best to save from Andy Cook. The home side were playing with a bit of swagger in a tough period for the Gills. Masterson blocked an effort from Kavanagh.
With just under 20 minutes left Bonner turned to his bench for fresh energy upfront as Marcus Wyllie and Jacob Wakeling were introduced.
Bradford went close again, with Turner saving with his foot to deny Odour and Kavanagh smashing a shot wide, before Jack Nolan and Jonny Williams were added to the action for Gillingham.
Gillingham: Turner, Hutton, Clark, Masterson, Ehmer, Coleman (Nolan 77mins), Dieng (E Williams 81mins), Clarke (J Williams 77mins), Lapslie, Gbode (Wyllie 73mins), Hawkins (Wakeling 73mins). Subs not used: Ashby-Hammond, Ogie.
Bradford: Walker, Halliday, Shepherd, Diabate, Byrne, Wright (Richards 33mins), Smallwood, Odour (Doyle 80mins), Walker (Pointon 67mins), Kavanagh (Smith 80mins), Cook (Oliver 80mins). Subs not used: Huntington, Evans.
Referee: Ross Joyce
Attendance: 16,471 (396 away)
