John Coleman’s first game in charge of Gillingham ended in defeat at Priestfield on Saturday.
Luke Molyneux was gifted an opener against the run of play for Doncaster Rovers before Billy Sharp missed a great chance to put them further ahead. A 1-0 loss extended the team’s winless run to four games – unable to score in any of those.
Gillingham’s new boss Coleman got a warm reception on his first game in charge – and his team responded from the off, showing lots of early endeavour, before conceding from a simple mistake.
That one goal was enough for Doncaster to take maximum points back to Yorkshire, boos ringing out at Priestfield once again at the final whistle.
There were five changes to the starting eleven from the team which were beaten 3-0 by Bromley last time out, a defeat that cost previous manager Mark Bonner his job.
Asher Agbinone made his debut and looked bright and positive, winning an early corner after cutting in from the flank before seeing his shot blocked.
Max Ehmer – who kept the captain’s arm band under the new boss – had a header saved after getting on the end of a Jack Nolan free-kick.
Things were looking much better. Coleman had talked after his appointment about trying to pin teams in and that’s just what the Gills were doing with a sustained period of pressure.
Doncaster’s only early chance came from a free-kick that was driven straight down the middle for Glenn Morris to scoop up.
Remeao Hutton capitalised on a slip by the Doncaster left-back and sent in a cross for Elliott Nevitt at the near post but the striker – looking to end a run of 13 games without scoring – couldn’t convert.
Doncaster needed to relieve the pressure and a tactical injury from their keeper Ted Shannon-Lowe did the job. He went down in the box and immediately his manager Grant McCann got the outfield players together.
It was a clever move, which disrupted Gillingham’s stranglehold on the match.
Doncaster took a 33rd minute lead through a mistake from Armani Little, winning a header back towards his goal and putting Molynuex in.
Without any Gills players around him he lifted the ball over the advancing Morris to put the visitors ahead.
It was harsh on the Gills and Agbinone looked to create something at the other end, leaving Jay McGrath on his backside before a wild shot missed by some distance.
For all of Gillingham’s positive play and determination they should have conceded a second before the break.
The Gills were wide open in defence as Owen Bailey launched a ball over the top into the path of Billy Sharp, who beat Morris but with two defenders covering on the line, he fired over the bar.
A nervy end to the half led to the Gills happy to hear the half-time whistle.
Agbinone had been struggling with what looked like an early injury relating to his back but was out again for the second half.
The Gillingham loan forward shot over the bar shortly after the restart but Doncaster started the second half looking a lot more assured than they did at the start of the first 45.
Goalkeeper Sharman-Lowe comfortably dealt with a shot from Agbinone.
With 15 minutes left, Coleman turned to his bench, with the team struggling to create anything of note. Aaron Rowe, Bradley Dack and Joe Gbode were all introduced as a new front three with Nevitt, Agbinone and Clarke making way.
Despite the changes, the Gills were unable to dominate in the latter stages. Doncaster James Maxwell almost got through to score a second, evading three challenges before being stopped.
Gillingham had six minutes of injury-time to salvage something but the home fans were left frustrated again. Gbode fired over late on and Nolan shot wide with the last kick.
League 2 table
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, McKenzie, Ehmer, Ogie, Little, Coleman, Nolan, Agbinone (Dack 74mins), Clarke (Rowe 74mins), Nevitt (Gbode 74mins). Subs not used: Turner, Clark, J Williams, Dieng.
Doncaster: Sharman-Lowe, Sterry, Maxwell, Oluwu, Molyneux (Anderson 93mins), Street (Ennis 74mins), Sbarra (Clifton 64mins), Sharp (Ironside 74mins), Bailey, McGrath, Crew (Broadbent 64mins). Subs not used: Lawlor, Gibson.
Referee: Lee Swabey
Attendance: 5814 (327)
