Armani Little scored two penalties and Lenni Cirino netted on his debut as Gillingham ended Chesterfield’s perfect start to the season.
Little converted from the penalty spot in each half, and although Armando Dobra got one back for the visitors, it was Gillingham’s night and a special one for Cirino, scoring the team’s third on his first appearance in the Football League before Marcus Wyllie added a fourth in stoppage-time.
Manager Gareth Ainsworth made two changes to his starting XI with Cirino making his Gills debut as replacement for suspended Max Clark while Jonny Williams replaced Bradley Dack.
Ainsworth may have been short defensively but he had plenty of attacking options on the bench, including a first appearance in the squad for Sam Vokes, along with fit-again winger Aaron Rowe.
Visitors Chesterfield had won their first three League 2 matches but the Gills have proved to be stubborn under Ainsworth, 12 unbeaten in EFL under the manager and 15 in total – a record pre-match that only Birmingham City could match.
They extended that impressive run on Tuesday night with a fabulous performance.
Ethan Coleman made himself available despite a nasty cut to the head at the weekend – lining up for the Gills with a bandage covering the wound.
With Shad Ogie and Conor Masterson still out injured, Robbie McKenzie marshaled the defence as the middle of the three central defenders, Remeao Hutton and Cirino giving the Gills width.
Chesterfield looked good from the off with the Gills burning lots of energy to keep them out. With the likes of Will Grigg and Dobra in the attack, the visitors had plenty of proven quality.
Tom Naylor shot narrowly wide, Ronan Darcy put one effort wide and had another saved, but the Gills grew into it.
With 28 minutes gone, Ainsworth’s men took the lead from the penalty spot.
Josh Andrews raced onto Kyle McFadzean’s poor pass back to his keeper and was taken out by goalkeeper Zach Hemming.
The Chesterfield stopper was convinced he’d got to the ball first but referee Craig Hicks didn’t agree and Little finished well into the bottom corner.
The hard-working Gills could have had a second through Andrews, but he blasted wide, after Andy Smith had chested the ball into his path.
Gillingham did go 2-0 up early in the second half as Little scored his second from the penalty spot.
Elliott Nevitt was tripped in the box by Ryan Stirk and the Gills captain fired home on 50 minutes.
It was the start of a hectic period of play. Just three minutes later and Chesterfield had a goal back. Vontae Daley-Campbell’s ball into the box was laid off by Grigg into Dobra’s path and he fired home.
Gillingham restored their two-goal advantage with three more minutes played as Cirino took the ball down on his chest from goalkeeper Glenn Morris’ long ball forward, fended off a challenge and fired home in front of a delirious Rainham End.
Nevitt forced Hemming into a save and Hutton hit an effort into the side netting as the home side looked to add to their lead.
Cirino and Andrews were both replaced after giving their all, both out of energy as they were replaced to a tremendous reception from the appreciative home crowd.
Vokes came on the for the last 10 minutes for his debut to try and help the Gills over the line.
Chesterfield remained a threat. Lee Bonis had a header at goal saved and Dilan Markanday shot narrowly wide.
Gillingham scored a fourth goal on 92 minutes when Nelson Khumbeni crossed for fellow substitute Wyllie and he slotted home past Hemming.
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Cirino (Rowe 68mins), Smith, Gale, Little (Khumbeni 87mins), Coleman, McKenzie, J Williams (Dack 87mins), Andrews (Vokes 81mins), Nevitt (Wyllie 81mins). Subs not used: Turner, Gbode.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Daley-Campbell (Mandeville 69mins), Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon (Lewis 87mins), Naylor (Fleck 69mins), Stirk, Markanday, Darcy (Duffy 78mins), Dobra, Grigg (Bonis 69mins). Subs not used: Boot, Grimes.
Referee: Craig Hicks
Attendance: 5,518 (281 away)
