From villain to hero within an hour as Gillingham broke their winless run against Bristol Rovers at the Memorial Ground, defender Max Clark’s second goal of the season meant that Gareth Ainsworth’s return to matchdays started with three points.
Clark who had a penalty saved in the first half was on hand ten minutes after the break to smash home the only goal of a tight contest after Remeao Hutton’s cross dropped perfectly for him to give keeper Luke Southwood no chance whatsoever.
With boss Ainsworth watching on from the stands in his first direct matchday involvement since his heart operation, the home side included former Luton Town skipper Tom Lockyer in their ranks – Lockyer now thankfully back playing after his own cardiac arrest against Bournemouth just eleven months ago – and it was the former Welsh international who had the game’s first chance heading over from a corner.
Jake Turner was then called into action making a stunning save to deny Fabrizio Cavegn with his feet after the Rovers man had got in behind the visitor’s defence and from the corner, Alfie Chang was denied by a great defensive block.
Josh Andrews had the Gills first chance – shooting into the side netting – before the away side were awarded a penalty on the half hour for a foul on Sam Gale. Clark took the kick but was too straight and Southwood stood his ground to save.
Stephan Negru and Andrews went close at either end as the half ended but the scoreline remained blank, but ten minutes after the break, that all changed – Hutton’s cross was half cleared to Clark, who brilliantly struck the ball beyond the keeper in front of the thousand plus Gills fans to send the travellers wild with delight.
Chang then went close twice for the home side – Turner saving well on the first occasion but the Rovers man shooting well wide with the second.
The home side couldn’t find a way through as time ticked by but seemed to get a second wind when seven additional minutes were shown.
Turner made the save of the contest to keep out Kamil Conteh’s header and Bradley Dack, on a sub for Nelson Khumbeni, did well to clear off the line from Freddie Issaka’s late shot.
BRISTOL ROVERS – Southwood, Bilongo (Issaka 74), Mola, Southam-Hales, Negru, Lockyer (Sparkes 82), Chang, Cotterill (Conteh 73), Cavegn, Sotiriou (Dewsbury 83), Forde (Thomas 68).
Subs not used – Young, Moore.
Booked: Sotiriou (32).
GILLINGHAM – Turner, Hutton, Andy Smith, McKenzie, Gale, Clark, Coleman, Khumbeni (Dack 77), Palmer-Houlden (McCleary 84), Nevitt (Rowe 84), Andrews (Ogie 76).
Subs not used – Holtam, Jonny Smith, Vokes.
Goal: Clark (54).
Booked: Andrews (31), Nevitt (62), McKenzie (91), McCleary (91).
REFEREE – Mr. Alan Young
Attendance: 8056