Gillingham’s impressive start to the season continued with a fourth straight home win.
Josh Andrews headed the Gills in front early on in the second half, and that was enough to claim a third 1-0 home success so far this season, while maintaining their 100% league record at Priestfield.
It’s now eight unbeaten for League 2’s joint leaders and 20 in total across two seasons – 17 of those coming under Gareth Ainsworth.
Notts had picked up 10 points from a possible 12 in their previous four games ahead of their trip to ME7 but were kept quiet by the Gills.
Bradley Dack was back in the Gills team following a recent injury and he captained the side in the absence of Armani Little.
Winger Jonny Smith was handed his first start as Ethan Coleman, like Little, missed out after a knock picked up the week before at Bromley.
Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth switched to a four-man defence with Jonny Williams joined by Robbie McKenzie as the defensive midfield pair.
The Gills had several nearly moments in the opening half, one which finished without either side managing to register an attempt on goal.
Gillingham’s first big chance came when Jonny Smith’s low cross was just missed by Nevitt. The pair almost combined again soon after as the newcomer attempted to find the head of the striker.
Dack shot over after combining well with Williams and he went close again after Nevitt flicked a ball on from Clark’s deep cross.
Notts keeper Kelle Roos took a tactical injury break after 20 minutes, and while he was down getting a rub, the visiting boss attempted to sort things out as the Gills had been on top in the opening stages.
Notts did go close to scoring soo after when Alassana Jatta headed over a Jacob Beadeau cross.
Sam Gale was enjoying a good half, making a vital early interception after Jatta almost got in on goal and making an impact at the other end too. His low cross/shot was almost stabbed in by Dack and another lung-busting run towards the end of the half got the Gills on the attack again.
Visiting striker Dennis, with six goals in five ahead of the game, ended the half with a shot that wasn’t far off the mark.
The Gills were ahead early in the second half, Andrews heading in Remeao Hutton’s cross just a minute after the restart – two in two games for the big striker after his goal the week before.
Play was held up as Kellan Gordon picked up an injury following a challenge from Elliott Nevitt. The Notts defender went off on a stretcher.
Andrews went off to a great reception from the home fans as Sam Vokes took over the duties upfront for the final 20 minutes.
Dack tried to pick out Vokes after a run into the box but Rod McDonald cut the pass out.
With County introducing winger Jodi Jones off the bench, they remained a threat, but the Gills kept the visitors at arm’s length and they didn’t have a shot on target until Jones’ tame effort on 87 minutes, which Glenn Morris comfortably dealt with.
Elliott Nevitt went close for the Gills deep into stoppage-time and Jones blasted a shot wide for the visitors.
Gillingham: Morris, A Smith, Gale, McKenzie, Hutton, Clark, J Smith (Rowe 70mins), J Williams, Dack (Wyllie 90+4mins), Nevitt, Andrews (Vokes 70mins). Subs not used: Turner, Akomeah, Ogie, Cirino.
Notts County: Roos, McDonald, Aljofree, Bedeau, Gordon (Cotter 59mins), Tsaroulla (Jones 59mins), Norburn (Grant 78mins), Palmer, Iorpenda (Hall 59mins), Dennis (Robertson 84mins), Jatta. Subs not used: Griffiths, Macari.
Referee: Sam Mulhall
Attendance: 6,743 (486 away)
