Gillingham are on the road again this Saturday as they travel to Cambridge United for another League Two fixture.

Gillingham will be desperate to come back with a strong performance after a humiliating 5-1 loss at home to MK Dons on Tuesday.

The loss was tough to take with manager Gareth Ainsworth condemning “moments of bad defending, bad decisions and naivety.” The ever-increasing injury list has also played a significant role in recent results with two players called up from the under-18s to appear on the bench against MK Dons.

The match was an evening to forget for the Gills faithful as a second-half goal from Seb Palmer-Houlden was the only resistance offered against a rampant MK Dons who were clinical in slotting home five goals.

Gillingham currently sit 16th in the table on 45 points, 11 points away from the playoff places, while Cambridge United are currently third in the table, five points behind league leaders Bromley, but with a game in hand.

Cambridge had a fairly ordinary start to the season, with seven six wins and six five losses from their first 14 games. However, since their loss at Notts County in October, which left them 13th in the table, Neil Harris’ side have won 12 and lost only 1 of the 21 games played. This includes a six-match winning run across January.

The Dons have had a strong season in League Two. After some difficult form in September, which left them solidly mid-table, they have put together an impressive run of results. Their win tally of 18 games is the second highest in the league, and they haven’t lost a game since 1st January.

On Saturday, they had a disappointing result as they drew 1-1 away at Accrington. They went behind after 24 minutes with Accrington’s only shot on target in the game. Despite dominating possession, Cambridge struggles to find an equaliser until substitute Louis Appere found the net with a header in the 81st minute. The draw moved Cambridge down into third, so they will be keen to secure 3 important points against Gillingham as they hunt for automatic promotion.

Gillingham and Cambridge United have played each other on 25 occasions, with Gillingham winning 15 and Cambridge seven. In the reverse fixture earlier in the season, the points were shared. Cambridge went 1-0 up in the tenth minute with Louis Appere tapping in a loose ball, but Gillingham came back strongly in the second half. Armani Little won a penalty for the Gills, but Robbie McKenzie’s spot-kick was well-saved by Jake Eastwood. Fortunately for Gillingham, the resulting corner from Bradley Dack was converted via a Max Clark header to secure a point.

Gillingham’s injury list is now a problem for Ainsworth, particularly with Ethan Coleman limping off in the second half on Tuesday evening. The recent absences of Dack, McCleary, Little, Gale, Masterson, Beckles, Antwi, McKenzie and Jonny Smith have significantly limited Ainsworth’s options in all areas of the pitch.

The home fans were vocal in their dissatisfaction with recent results, and with six losses from the last nine games, Gillingham need to put in a good performance. Cambridge have stumbled a little recently with draws against MK Dons, Colchester and Accrington in their last four games, so there is hope that the Gills will be able to take something from the game.