Gillingham were well-beaten by Colchester United at the Jobserve Stadium as they drop to 11th in the table.
A poor challenge from James Brophy led to a penalty in the 61st minute, which Jack Payne converted, before Harry Anderson doubled the lead ten minutes later.
The two clubs were 14 places apart in the League Two table before the game. Gillingham were 8th and looking to move into the playoff places, while Colchester were 22nd and winless in the past ten league games.
Gareth Ainsworth made four changes to the Gillingham team who won away at Northampton in Tuesday’s Jersey Mike’s trophy game. Logan Dobbs, Ethan Coleman, Harry Waldock and Sheldon Kendall started, while Andy Smith, Jack Daley and Ronan Hale dropped to the bench, with Robbie McKenzie not in the squad. The side played a flat back four for the first time this season.
Danny Cowley made wholesale changes to the Colchester team who beat Ipswich U21 on Tuesday’s cup game – only Jack Tucker and Thimothee Lo-Tutala kept their places.
The early minutes of the first half were dominated by Colchester. Jay Williams had a free header in the Gillingham box which he put over the bar and Teddy Bishop had a long-range effort that went close.
Gillingham grew stronger as the half went on with more possession in the Colchester half and an effort on target from Garath McCleary, which was comfortably saved.
McCleary went close again after 30 minutes. He beat two defenders on the left wing and cut inside onto his right foot, but the effort went narrowly wide.
Gillingham continued to dominate the match, albeit without creating many chances. James Brophy fired some promising free kicks into the box, but Colchester defended in numbers to keep the scores level.
Colchester went close to opening the scoring in first half injury time. Following a counter-attack, Harry Anderson’s shot from the edge of the box was on target, but well-saved by Ollie Wright.
Gillingham almost opened the scoring in the early minutes of the second half. Harry Waldock’s shot from the edge of the box required a fingertip save to push the ball past the post for a corner, which came to nothing.
Some smart defending from Logan Dobbs prevented a goal at the other end as he turned the ball behind for a corner before Jack Tucker could head it home. However, from the corner that followed, Gillingham conceded a penalty with Brophy making an untidy challenge in the box.
Jack Payne converted the penalty comfortably, sending Wright the wrong way and tucking the ball into the bottom corner to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Minutes later, Payne almost made it 2-0 with a quick break into the Gillingham box, but Wright saved it with his legs.
Colchester made it 2-0 after 70 minutes when Harry Anderson received the ball in front of goal following a free kick which Gillingham failed to clear. He poked it into the bottom-right corner via a deflection.
Gillingham made four changes straight after the second goal, reverting to their usual three at the back as Andy Smith replaced McCleary.
The Gills were the more attacking side following their substitutions, but again they couldn’t find the final pass to give themselves a clear chance at goal.
Substitute Ronan Hale produced a good effort on goal in the 88th minute. He received a lofted pass on the edge of the box, cut inside onto his right foot and fired off a shot which was well-saved.
Despite seven minutes of additional time, Gillingham were unable to offer any further threat while Colchester defended well to secure the clean sheet.
Colchester: Lo-Tutala, Iandolo (Kuffour 46’), Raggett, Tucker, Vincent-Young, Bishop (Perry 46’), Jay Williams, Anderson (Akande 86’), Payne (Digby 83’), Sesay, Williams (Thorn 71’).
Subs Not Used: Connolly, Roberts.
Goals: Payne 61’ (pen), Anderson 72’
Booked: Williams 26’
Gillingham: Wright, Coleman (Little 73’), Sillah, McCleary (Smith 74’), Albarus (Antwi 74’), Brophy (Dayal 86’), Kendall (Hale 74’), Beckles, Freeman, Waldock, Dobbs.
Subs Not Used: Luthra, Daley.
Goals: None
Booked: Dobbs 64’
HT 0 – 0 FT 2 – 0
Attendance: 5547
Referee: Mr Lewis Sandoe
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.