Gillingham slipped further down the League 2 table after another disappointing performance.
The Gills had a decent penalty appeal turned down during what was a drab first half at Barrow, in a game between two struggling teams. The home side found the moments of quality to win it as Kian Spence struck twice after the break and Tyler Smith scored in injury-time against the toothless visitors.
Gillingham didn’t offer enough going forward again, and are now nine games without a win in the league, with manager John Coleman still seeking his first win since taking charge.
New signing Andy Smith – on loan from Hull City – made his debut in the starting XI as one of two changes to the team which kicked off the week before. He surprisingly started the game at right-back.
Bradley Dack got the start he craved – speaking in the week about the need to get a run in the team to find his best form. It was a frustrating afternoon for him and the team.
Leading scorer Jayden Clarke had announced on social media the night before the game that he wouldn’t be involved – the seven-goal forward left out by manager Coleman.
It was Coleman’s fifth game in charge, with two points picked up on the road prior to his team’s game at Barrow – a side who like the Gills were battling at the top of the table in the opening weeks of the season.
Different managers were involved back then. Mark Bonner’s men beat Stephen Clemence’s side 2-0 to go top at the end of September. It’s been a tale of woes since. Saturday’s game was 18th vs 19th, with promotion hopes a distant dream.
The first half at Holker Street wasn’t one that would last long in the memory but the Gills had good reason to claim they should have had a penalty.
Having seen Barrow dominate the opening stages, a ball over the top from Armani Little was collected by Joe Gbode and he went down in the box following contact from defender Sam Foley. The referee played on.
Moments earlier the official Ross Joyce had booked Barrow’s Dean Campbell for simulation after he went over in the box following Little’s challenge.
Apart from the penalty appeals there wasn’t a lot else happening in the half. Spence fired a couple of efforts wide for the hosts but the second 45 was a lot more productive for the Barrow man.
Gillingham hadn’t tested keeper Paul Farman in the opening half.
Dack had a shot blocked and also put a free-kick wide.
Asher Agbinone’s cross/shot from a quickly taken corner at the end of the first half counted as Gillingham’s only ‘on target’ effort. Farman took the catch comfortably.
Agbinone and Elliott Nevitt were playing either side of Gbode and they switched sides in the second half to try and make something happen.
The Gills were forced into another change in attack early in the second half when Agbinone limped off injured.
Ben Jackson shot wide for the hosts and Aaron Pressley went closer with a looping header that Morris turned over the bar.
Barrow’s pressure paid off as they scored the opener on 60 minutes. Sam Gale’s wayward header fell into the path of Spence and his finish from the edge of the box beat Morris’ save.
MJ Williams almost got Barrow another soon after with Morris needing to make a save.
Gillingham switched to wing-backs for the last 20 minutes and Nevitt went close with a header that landed on the roof of the net. There had been little for the 227 away fans to cheer.
A triple change with 15 minutes left included a first appearance for Liverpool loanee Dominic Corness but it was the home side who struck next to double their lead.
With 84 minutes played Barrow went 2-0 up, Spence scoring from close range to slot home after Jackson had got to the byline and cut the ball back to his team-mate.
Gillingham didn’t get close to pulling a goal back as home keeper Farman finished the afternoon without having to make a proper save.
Barrow scored a third in stoppage-time when Robbie Gotts picked out the run of Tyler Smith and he finished with ease.
League 2 table
Gillingham: Morris, Gale, Ogie (Hutton 66mins), Smith, Ehmer, Little (Morgan 75mins), McKenzie, Dack (Corness 75mins), Agbinone (Nolan 52mins), Gbode, Nevitt (Morgan 75mins). Subs not used: Turner, Clark.
Barrow: Farman, Campbell, Canavan, Spence (Worrall 88mins), Newby, Williams, Gotts, Foley, Jackson, Pressley (Acquah 75mins), Whitfield (Smith 90mins). Subs not used: Stanway, Cameron, Mahoney.
Referee: Ross Joyce.
Attendance: 3,130 (227 away)
