Gillingham’s poor form at home came to an end as they comfortably beat Accrington Stanley at Priestfield.
Andy Smith scored his first goal for Gillingham and Garath McCleary’s super striker made it 2-0 after the break. Accrington finished with nine men when Tyler Walton was sent off for a high and reckless challenge on Nelson Khumbeni and David Abimbola was dismissed for violent conduct.
Victory ended a five-game winless run at home, where the Gills had picked up just a point from a possible 15.
Gillingham’s Easter Monday clash against Accrington was a hard one to sell to all but the most hardened fans, with Ainsworth’s side sitting 17th pre-match and the visitors a few points further ahead in 15th.
Priestfield hadn’t been a happy hunting ground for Gillingham of late, with chants of, “You’re not fit to wear the shirt” heard frequently, and the players booed off more times than clapped.
On the plus side, The Gills had ended a five-game losing streak with a draw at Walsall on the Friday, and in anticipation of selling season tickets for another stab at success, club owner Brad Galinson admitted it had been a “s*** season” but promised changes.
This turned out to be another positive afternoon as the Gills look to end their season strongly.
Injury problems continued to affect Ainsworth’s planning with Harry Waldock out with a knock and Bradley Dack taking a breather from the starting XI. Captain Armani Little was back from suspension but didn’t last the 90.
Accrington ended an eight-game winless run with a 2-0 victory at home to Crewe in their previous match.
With the sun shining and the pitch looking in great condition, this had the feeling of a pre-season game.
There was an early altercation to get the juices flowing, however, with striker Hale and visiting keeper Ollie Wright both picking up a booking following their coming together.
Referee George Lafin was quick to get his cards out as McCleary and Nelson Khumbeni also went in the book before the break.
Accrington had the game’s first attempt at goal, Freddie Sass heading wide, but the Gills were the dominant side throughout.
There were penalty claims waved away by Mr Lafin when Sam Gale’s shot struck the arm of Accrington’s Josh Woods.
The opening goal came on 36 minutes from a corner, Little with the kick and Smith heading in at the far post to break the deadlock.
Centre-back Smith came close to adding a second from another corner later in the half, this time from the other side and taken by Clark. Connor O’Brien was on the line to block the header.
Accrington reached the break without a shot on target, as the Gills were in control, clapped off at the interval by an appreciative home crowd.
Little’s afternoon was over early in the second half when he went off injured with a badly cut hand, but the Gills were soon 2-0 up, and it was a super finish from veteran McCleary to double the advantage on 57 minutes.
Hale laid the ball off and the 38-year-old winger picked out the far corner with a shot across the keeper.
It prompted Accrington into a triple change to try and make an impact in the game but they were always second best.
Cirino put a couple of chances wide for the Gills as they looked to extend their advantage.
Accrington lost their heads late on. They went down to 10 men when Walton’s high kick took out Khumbeni.
Only moments earlier, he had avoided picking up a second booking after a shove off the ball on Gale. He had already been cautioned for a foul. His wayward challenge earned him a straight red card.
Late Gillingham substitutions saw a return to action for fit-again defender Conor Masterson and a first Football League appearance for youth player Louie Dayal.
Seb Palmer-Houlden’s powerful effort from distance was turned over the bar by keeper Wright and Clark also tried his luck, sending a 25-yard effort just over the bar.
David Abimbola was dismissed in the 95th minute after an off-the-ball incident which left Sam Gale in a heap.
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Clark, A Smith (Masterson 83mins), Gale, Little (J Williams 55mins), Khumbeni, Cirino (Dayal 83mins), McCleary (Dack 60mins), Palmer-Houlden, Hale (Vokes 83mins). Subs not used: Turner, Andrews.
Accrington: Wright, O’Brien (Matthews 58mins), Sass, Love, Rawson, Martin (Coyle 58mins), Conneely (Madden 58mins), Whalley (Butterfield 83mins), Sinclair (Abimbola 72mins), Woods, Walton. Subs not used: Kelly, Brown.
Referee: George Lafin
Attendance: 5,383 (59 away)
