It was a night of what might have been for Gillingham as they missed a chance to finally get out of the League One relegation places as they lost by the only goal of a scrappy game at The Valley.
The home side themselves had slipped down the division in recent weeks after a run of just one win in eight but secured an all-important win which might just keep them out of the dog fight with a solitary first half goal – but that highlighted the visitor’s failings all season as the Gills defence allowed Corey Blackett-Taylor to shoot. Pontus Dahlberg couldn’t hold on but did recover to block the follow up from Jayden Stockley only for the rebound to fall to Alex Gilbey who hammered home five minutes before the break.
David Tutonda started in place of the man he replaced on Saturday, Ryan Jackson, as roared on by over 1,500 travelling fans Gillingham tried to haul themselves out of the bottom four. Sadly, it was a disappointing trip home for the faithful as the home side took advantage of the Gills poor defending to lead at the break.
The Gills began well enough with both Ben Thompson and Vadaine Oliver having chances that were denied by home keeper Craig MacGillivray, while Gilbey fired just wide shortly before being on hand to take advantage of Dahlberg’s slip to give Charlton the lead.
The Gills night didn’t get any better after the break as Robbie McKenzie was forced off with injury.
Yet, finally the visitors finally got going and Conor Masterson was desperately unlucky not to equalise as his drive beat MacGillivray but flashed inches past the post.
The visitors upped their game and pressed for an equaliser, but that in its own way meant that space would be left at the back and Dahlberg partially atoned for his spillage on the goal with a fine low save to his left to deny Blackett-Taylor.
Try as they might the goal just wouldn’t come despite and the closest the Gills come was another Masterson shot – as he got on the end of a great knock down – sadly flew into the travelling support.
The defeat leaves the Gills in twentieth and still level on points with Fleetwood who were thumped at Shrewsbury Town, and AFC Wimbledon – who now have a game in hand which ironically was supposed to be against Charlton next midweek, but has been called off by “international call-ups”.
It leaves Neil Harris’ side stuck in the relegation zone with promotion chasing Sheffield Wednesday coming to Priestfield on Saturday.
Sitting 21st in the league, behind AFC Wimbledon on goal difference and having played a game more, Gillingham know anything less than a win will do at this stage of the season.
Charlton Athletic line up: MacGillivray, Dobson, Purrington, Blackett-Taylor (Pearce 88), Lavelle, Gilbey, Matthews, Fraser (Lee 66), Clare, Stockley, Washington.
Subs not used: Harness, Gunter, Jaiyesimi, Leko, Burstow.
Goal: Gilbey (40).
Booked: Gilbey (32), Stockley (82).
Gillingham line up: Dahlberg, McKenzie (Lintott 59), Ehmer, Tucker, Masterson, Tutonda (Dickson-Peters 81), Lee, O’Keefe, Thompson, Kelman, Oliver.
Subs not used: Chapman, Maghoma, Chambers, Akehurst.
Booked: O’Keefe (86).
Referee: Mr Will Finnie
Attendance: 9728 (1559 Gills)
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.