Gillingham’s unbeaten finally came to an end on Saturday at MEMS Priestfield with Harrogate Town the side that broke the historic run.

With so much anticipation going into the game as to how many games Gareth Ainsworth’s side could go without being beaten in the league having made it 21 games the previous weekend, the fans came out in their numbers to see the history makers.

Opening the Town End and charging fans just a fiver for the privilege of sitting on the scaffolding certainly swelled the attendance too as all four sides of the ground were filled to a degree.

All credit to the Harrogate fans that made the long trip south for the occasion and their side really hadn’t read the script as the home support thought they were going to see their side go and make it 22 unbeaten.

With Ainsworth opting for an unchanged side yet again, the fans thought they were going to see a Gillingham side revved up and ready for battle, but if the truth be told, they were flat at best and were second best to almost everything in the first half.

Devoid of attacking intent and imagination, all too often long balls up top went nowhere and when the flanks were exploited and space was found, there was no one on hand to apply that killer finish.

It came as no real surprise then that Harrogate took the lead in the 16th minute when Stephen Duke-McKenna danced in from the right flank, evading challenge after challenge before rifling home past a stranded Glenn Morris.

That should have evoked a Gillingham response, but it never really came in the opening 45 minutes.

James Belshaw was on hand to turn a Josh Andrews header over the bar and kept Jonny Smith’s effort out when it looked goalbound, but that was as much as Gillingham mustered in the opening half.

With Bradley Dack withdrawn at half time and Ethan Coleman on in his place, The Gills opted for more energy in midfield and it certainly produced more effort, but the quality just wasn’t there in the second half.

Try as they might, The Gills just couldn’t break down a resolute Harrogate defence and were restricted to half chances.

The 7406 in attendance became increasingly frustrated with what they were seeing and changes from Ainsworth created yet more energy, but lacked that knockout punch.

As try as they might for an equaliser, The Gills just couldn’t find it in the second half and the extra five minutes of added on time failed to deliver that clear cut chance for anyone in blue.

So, the run is over and Gillingham drop to third place in League Two, just a point behind league leaders Swindon Town.

All is not lost though and on the form from the start of the season Ainsworth has so much to work with. He must now pick up his charges and get them ready for next Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Milton Keynes Dons.

Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, A. Smith, Gale, Clark, McKenzie (Rowe 68), J. Williams, J. Smith (McCleary 61), Dack (Coleman H/T), Nevitt (Palmer-Houlden 68), Andrews (Vokes 68).

Subs not used: Turner, Ogie.

Booked: Clark (84).

Harrogate Town: Belshaw, Burrell, O’Connor, Faulkner, Slater, Morris, Evans, Duke-McKenna, Taylor (McAleny 73), Smith (Sutton 90), Muldoon (Bennett 65).

Subs not used: Oxley, Bradbury, McCoulsky, Fox.

Goal: Duke-McKenna (16).

Booked: Taylor (50).

Referee: Mr James Bell 

Attendance: 7406 (85 Harrogate)