A frustrated Gillingham lost 1-0 at Chesterfield on Tuesday night to make it four losses from the last five games.

Poor defending against a set-piece has undone the Kent side for the second time in four days as the Gills leave Chesterfield empty-handed.

With both teams dropping points on Saturday and in the hunt for the playoff places, this fixture was vital. Chesterfield were one point away from the playoff places, while Gillingham were nine away.

Gillingham made four changes to the team that lost 1-0 away at Crewe, bringing in Sam Gale, Andy Smith, Bradley Dack and Josh Andrews for Travis Akomeah, Ethan Coleman, Garath McCleary and Sam Vokes. Gale and Smith have spent a few games on the bench since the signing of Omar Beckles and their inclusion suggested Ainsworth would play three at the back, rather than the flat four he has been recently adopting.

Chesterfield made three changes to the side who drew 1-1 at home to Harrogate, bringing in Ryan Stirk, Armando Dobra, Will Grigg for Tom Naylor, Dylan Duffy and Lee Bonis, who was suspended following his red card in the last match.

The first half began with Gillingham enjoying more of the possession and attacking intent. A series of Remeao Hutton long throws and a couple of free kicks looked threatening as the Gills attacked the Chesterfield box, but the home side defended in numbers.

The first attempt on goal from the Gills came from Ronan Hale, following a good through ball from Dack. He hit the shot low to the keeper’s right from a narrow angle, drawing a sharp save.

Against the run of play, Chesterfield opened the scoring as a corner came into the six-yard box. Gillingham failed to clear it, and it fell to Sam Curtis at the far post, who poked it into the bottom-left corner, despite being tightly marked by Gale.

Following the goal, Chesterfield grew into the game, enjoying more possession in the Gillingham half. The game also grew scrappier with plenty of strong challenges flying in and two Gillingham defenders receiving yellow cards.

Chesterfield had an excellent opportunity to make it 2-0 as Sil Swinkels was put through on goal but had his shot well-saved by Glenn Morris.

As the half drew to a close, Chesterfield continued to attack the Gillingham area, with Armando Dobra in particular looking dangerous. However, the Gillingham defence held firm, supported by some good tactical clearances from Morris.

The second half began with a great chance for Gillingham. Hutton’s cross from the right found Robbie McKenzie unmarked in the area, who headed powerfully wide of the target.

Gillingham came close again after 50 minutes when there was a goalmouth scramble in the Chesterfield six-yard box. However, the away side couldn’t quite get the ball under control in the danger area before Dack fired a shot wide from distance.

Gillingham them enjoyed a sustained period of attacking possession. Ronan Hale was almost put through on goal on a couple of occasions but couldn’t quite get the ball under control quickly enough before the Chesterfield defence got into position.

After a triple substitution, Chesterfield almost made it 2-0 as an unmarked Tom Naylor had an opportunity at the back post. It was blocked on the line from Armani Little, but Chesterfield were convinced it was handball.

Chesterfield continued to put pressure on Gillingham, forcing two corners in quick succession. Dylan Duffy had a great effort from outside the box, but it curled just wide of the far post.

Ainsworth turned to experience with his first substitutions, bringing on the veteran pair of Garath McCleary and Sam Vokes for Josh Andrews and Remeao Hutton.

Duffy had another good opportunity to extend Chesterfield’s lead as he received the ball on the counter-attack on the edge of the Gillingham area. His low shot drew a strong save from Morris.

At the other end, Gillingham had their best chance of the half so far. The ball spilled loose after a Gillingham corner and looped towards Dack unmarked with the goalkeeper out of position and on the ground. His header wasn’t well-timed and looped over the bar.

As the game progressed to the final minutes, both sides struggled to create clear-cut opportunities. Hale lashed a volley from distance over the bar for Gillingham, while Chesterfield had a header well-blocked by Omar Beckles.

The two teams were pretty evenly matched throughout the game, but the game was decided by the two defences. Chesterfield were consistently organised and prevented Gillingham from getting any genuine clear-cut chances to score, while the Gillingham defenders – who were solid for most of the game – failed to deal with a set piece and conceded a scrappy goal.

There is still time left in the season for this Gillingham side, who have played plenty of good football. But that time is running out and they need some goals if they want to climb the tightly-packed League Two table.

Chesterfield: Hemming, Mandeville (Duffy ’60), Stirk, Grigg, Dobra (Berry 61), Dunkley, Markanday (Naylor ’60), Swinkels, Curtis, Braybrooke, Pearce.

Subs Not Used: Dickson, Donacien, Ladapo, McFadzean.

Goals: Curtis ‘16,

Booked:

Gillingham: Morris, Hutton (McCleary ’66), Clark, Smith, Little (Antwi ’81), Andrews (Vokes ’66), McKenzie (Palmer-Houlden ’86), Dack (Coleman ’86), Gale, Hale, Beckles.

Subs Not Used: Turner, Akomeah.

Goals:

Booked: Beckles ’24, Hutton ‘32

HT 1 – 0 FT 1 – 0

Attendance: 7520 (282)

Referee: Mr Will Finnie.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.