Gillingham slipped to a disappointing 3-1 defeat away at against Accrington Stanley at the Wham Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The home side took the lead in the 11th minute thanks to an effort from Stefan Mols, before doubling their lead just before the half hour mark. This time it was Josh Woods who headed home from a Mols corner.
The Gills were back in the game shortly after, when Omar Beckles reduced the deficit as he got on the end of a Nick Freeman cross to slot home.
The hosts restored their two-goal lead when the same combination of Woods and Mols combined again for Woods second of the afternoon.
Manger Gareth Ainsworth named an unchanged starting XI from the previous league fixture at Rotherham, which the Gills won 4-1. Garath McCleary came back into the matchday squad in the place of Cameron Antwi, who missed out. Tom Eaves had to settle with a spot on the bench with Lamin Sillah keeping his place in the team.
Harry Waldock was denied by an excellent sliding challenge in the fourth minute. James Brophy did well to win possession on halfway before driving through the middle. Waldock had the ball slipped through by Brophy, but his crossed was blocked.
Beckles had a half-chance shortly after. The hosts could not clear their lines following a Robbie McKenzie long throw. The ball made its, way to Freeman, who pulled it back for Beckles, but he fired his effort over the crossbar.
With 11 minutes on the clock, Mols gave the home side the lead. There was a defensive mix-up that allowed Mols to capitalise, and he eventually slid the ball into the back of the net from close range.
McKenzie had a good opportunity immediately after. Sillah did well to slip the ball through for McKenzie who had found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he dragged his shot wide of the post.
Shortly before the half hour mark, Woods doubled Accrington’s advantage. Mols curled a corner from the right towards the six-yard box, and Woods met it unchallenged and powered his header beyond Ollie Wright.
The visitors did get a goal back when Armani Little’s cross-field pass towards the right touchline was brought down by Freeman, who then sent a low ball into the penalty area. It found Beckles, who hit the ball towards the goal, it nestled into the bottom corner via a deflection.
Woods had the first chance of the second half, but his effort from distance was easily saved by Wright.
Manager Gareth Aisnworth rolled the dice in the 54th minute, making a triple substitution with Jack Daley, Ethan Coleman and Tom Eaves replacing Logan Dobbs, Waldock and Little.
Not long after the hour mark, Woods who had been a thorn in the Gills side scored his second, of the afternoon. Mols curled a corner towards the six-yard box, and Woods got ahead of his marker to send a bullet header into the top left corner, leaving Wright with no chance of keeping it out.
The Gills then made three further substitutes in the 70th minute, as Bradley Dack and McCleary replaced Sillah and Andy Smith.
Mols was then next to come close to scoring his second of the afternoon. He curled an effort just wide of the post.
It was all the home side with Conor Grant striking the woodwork when the chance to shoot from distance opened up for him to have an effort.
Then Wright had to be alert to deny Woods as the game ticked towards the 90th minute. The hosts broke forward with a man advantage. The ball was played back to Woods, and hit another curling effort, but Wright was able to push clear on the dive.
Accrington Stanley: Moulden, Love, Mols, Borland, Matthews, Anderson, Walton, Warren (Grant 76’), Tutonda, O’Brien, Woods
Unused Substitutes: Rogerson, O. Smith, Moore, Brown, J. Smith
Gillingham: Wright, Smith (McCleary 70’), Beckles, Dobbs (Daley 54’), Freeman, McKenzie, Little (Eaves 54’), Brophy, Waldock (Coleman 54’), Hale, Sillah (Dack 70’)
Unused Substitutes: Luthra, Kendall
Referee: Will Finnie
Attendance: 1874 (300 Gillingham supporters)
Image courtesy of Gillingham FC