Gillingham were unable to make the pressure count at Chesterfield as they were beaten again.
A positive start from the Gills on Tuesday night was halted by Sam Curtis’ 16th-minute opener for Chesterfield. In similar circumstances to the weekend game at Crewe, Gareth Ainsworth’s men were unable to make the most of their big moments and lost to a set-piece.
Defeat leaves the Gills further adrift in the race for the League 2 play-off places.
Gills manager Ainsworth made four changes to his starting line-up as older heads Garath McCleary and Sam Vokes dropped to the bench in a change of players and formation.
Sam Gale returned to his more natural central defensive role as Ainsworth switched to wing-backs. Andy Smith was also recalled into defence as loan man Travis Akomeah was dropped to the bench.
At the other end, Bradley Dack was in the starting XI again as support for the front two of Ronan Hale and Josh Andrews.
Both sides had disappointing weekend results to bounce back from. The Gills – starting the night nine points off the play-off places in 14th – lost 1-0 at Crewe, while Chesterfield had to settle for a point in a 1-1 home draw against relegation-threatened Harrogate.
Gillingham started well and had a flurry of throws that Remeao Hutton launched into the Chestefield box. It was an early bombardment from the visitors, which also included a free-kick and a couple of corners, but the home side defended well.
The defending from The Gills was less impressive as Chesterfield scored against the run of play.
Ainsworth had been critical of his team’s set-piece defensive work after conceding from one at Crewe. It was from a corner that they went behind to this time.
Liam Mandeville crossed, Sil Swinkels won the flick on and Curtis then outmuscled those around him to fire in the opener.
Ainsworth was fuming and was having a heated discussion with Hutton as the game restarted.
Gillingham continued to put plenty of balls into the Chesterfield area, but the home side were coping well.
A more intricate move was cut out by Swinkels after Hutton had looked to thread the ball into the path of Dack.
Chesterfield reached the break leading the shot count 10-3, although most were off target. Morris was there when called upon, as he saved well from Tom Pearce.
Robbie McKenzie headed a good chance wide early in the second half and Andrews directed an effort at the home keeper.
Gills had appeals for a penalty turned away after goalkeeper Zach Hemming missed the ball when coming to claim a corner, which resulted in some desperate defending. A handball was claimed, but a shot from Dack went over, and the referee waved away the protests.
The Gills were on top again and had to make it count.
Chesterfield responded to the Gillingham pressure with a triple change with an hour played.
One of those substitutes, Tom Naylor, almost made an immediate impact but his header was cleared off the line by Max Clark.
Another sub, Dylan Duffy, also went close with a curling effort that went just wide.
Ainsworth went for more pace from the bench as McCleary replaced Hutton.
There was also a change in attack as Andrews made way for Vokes.
Morris got down well to deny Duffy with 15 minutes left as the hosts looked for a second, not wanting to let slip of a 1-0 lead as they did at the weekend.
Dack’s looping header from a corner went close for the Gills and Hale’s snap effort from 20 yards wasn’t far away.
Pearce missed a great chance to make it 2-0 in the final minute of normal time. Six were added on.
Gillingham pushed for an equaliser but couldn’t find the quality to level the game.
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton (McCleary 67mins), Clark, A Smith, Gale, Beckles, Little (Antwi 81mins), McKenzie (Palmer-Houlden 87mins), Dack (Coleman 86mins), Hale, Andrews (Vokes 67mins). Subs not used: Turner, Akomeah.
Chesterfield: Hemming, Curtis, Pearce, Swinkels, Dunkley, Stirk, Braybrooke, Markanday (Naylor 60mins), Mandeville (Duffy 60mins), Dobra (Berry 60mins), Grigg (Ladapo 77mins). Subs not used: McFadzean, Dickson, Donacien.
Referee: Will Finnie
Attendance: 7,520 (282 away)
