Gillingham put an end to MK Dons’ winning run in League 2 with a smash-and-grab performance.
MK Dons failed the make the most of a dominant first hour as Robbie McKenzie struck the opener for Gillingham. It was a lead the Gills held onto as they moved closer to the play-off places.
Gillingham had been buoyed by their win the previous Saturday but Salford at home was a different kind of task to playing away against an MK Dons side who had won their last six in the league.
Described pre-match by Gills boss Mark Bonner as the best in the division, it was always going to be a big ask against a team who have possession-based football inbuilt into their DNA. Scott Lindsey’s brief time in charge had already transformed the Dons from a team sitting just above the drop zone to one inside the play-off places.
Bonner picked a team with pace as Aaron Rowe and Jack Nolan returned to the eleven as the pair joined Jayden Clarke in support of striker Elliott Nevitt.
As expected, MK Dons dominated on the ball from the off but some poor finishing ensured they weren’t able to capitalise in the opening half, which ended goalless.
Scott Hogan was unable to make the most of a cross from busy right-sided player Aaron Nemane for MK while from an attack on the opposite side Glenn Morris saved from Joe Pritchard after he had got away from Gills’ 18-year-old right-back Harry Webster – who was making only his second EFL appearance.
Alex Gilbey couldn’t get a decent header on a cross and Joe White failed to trouble Morris with a free-kick as the Gills reached the break without conceding. Bonner’s men had been solid if unspectacular.
Going forward, the Gills produced only a few moments but nothing to trouble home keeper Tom McGill.
MK started the second half how they finished the first, seeing plenty of the ball in Gillingham’s half.
Hogan hit the side-netting after getting clear of Ethan Coleman and White went close with a shot from the edge of the box for the home side.
Gillingham fans were urging their team on and from a break away they finally got some pressure on the MK goal and with 59 minutes gone they took the lead.
Conor Masterson had carried the ball forward, which led to a blocked shot from Rowe and a follow-up from Nolan that the keeper had to turn wide.
Gills kept up the pressure and a shot from McKenzie, just inside the box, proved too hot for keeper McGill to keep out.
Gills went to a back five for the remaining 20 minutes, looking to keep their lead intact, as Shad Ogie replaced Rowe. Remeao Hutton also replaced Webster to add extra experience to the back line.
Nevitt put an effort wide for the Gills but MK remained the side in charge of possession.
McGill had to get a hand to the ball to prevent Ehmer from converting Shad Ogie’s deep ball into the box. The Gills seemed to cause MK problems whenever they went forward.
MK had a couple of free-kicks late on, and the Gills scrambled a Kelly effort away after Morris saved, as maximum points returned to Kent.
League 2 table
Gillingham: Morris, Webster (Hutton 60mins), Clark, Masterson, Ehmer, McKenzie, Coleman, Nolan (E Williams 69mins), Clarke (Dack 81mis), Rowe (Ogie 69mins), Nevitt (Andrews 81mins). Subs not used: Turner, J Williams.
MK Dons: McGill, Pritchard (Hendry 64 mins), Gilbey, Kelly, Wearne (Harrison 64mins), Nemane, Offord, Maguire (Carroll 82mins), Lawrence, White, Hogan. Subs not used: MacGillivray, Lewington, Sherring, Thompson-Sommers.
Referee: Dale Baines
Attendance: 7,191 (1,009 away)
