Gillingham started the New Year in frustrating style as they tasted defeat at the hands of Oxford thanks to Cheyenne Dunkley’s 65th minute goal.
Dunkley gave the visitors a second half lead after the Gillingham defence were unable to deal with a low cross.
The hosts ended the game with ten men after Deji Oshilaja was sent off for his second yellow card with just over ten minutes remaining.
Two of the three changes Justin Edinburgh made were forced, including Paul Konchesky who was suspended after his red card against Millwall. The visitors made use of his loss early on with Rob Hall cutting in from the left side on two occasions, but neither efforts troubled Stuart Nelson.
The Oxford pressure went on. Soon after Hall’s chances, Chris Maguire got around the goalkeeper, only to hit the side netting from a tight angle.
Gillingham soon worked their way back into the game though. On 20 minutes Frank Nouble did well to turn past his marker and fire a shot at goal, but it was well held by Simon Eastwood.
With the first half in full flow, it was Oxford who remained the stronger side. Maguire fired over from the right wing before Gillingham started to come into their own. Jake Hessenthaler’s long range effort was blocked and the resulting lose ball was fired wide by Frank Noble.
Despite Oxford’s best efforts to take the lead before half time, the Gills’ defence was able to hold firm, ensuring a frustrating first half for the hosts remained goalless.
In comparison to the first half, he hosts flew out the blocks in the second period. They had a penalty shout two minutes in when John Lundstram seemed to handle in the area but the referee waved away the protests from the Rainham End.
On the hour mark the game sparked into life. After failing to clear from a throw in, Rob Hall’s effort was bravely blocked by Max Ehmer.
Just five minutes later Ehmer was called into action again, but this time he was unable to deny Cheyene Dunkley who gave the visitors a 1-0 lead. A short corner was received by Chris Maguire and the attacker’s low cross was converted from close range by Dunkley.
If Gillingham’s task wasn’t hard enough already, they were forced to play the final 13 minutes with 10 men. Deji Oshilaja’s second yellow card meant he left his teammates to try and salvage a result with a man less than Oxford.
Just moments after gaining their one man advantage, Oxford nearly doubled their lead, but Nelson did well to dive to his right and tip Tyler Roberts’ effort around the post.
Oxford continued their push for a second goal. Maguire fired just wide before Gillingham came forward with a chance of their own. A free kick was flicked into the six yard box towards Rory Donnelly, but his acrobatic effort flew inches over the crossbar.
The visitors were happy to see the game out in front of a frustrated Priestfield crowd, allowing them to take all three points back to Oxfordshire, leaving Gillingham in 17th place in League One.
Gillingham: Nelson, Jackson, Ehmer, Oshilaja, Wagstaff (Donnelly), Hessenthaler, Cargill, Byrne, Wright (Oldaker), Nouble (McDonald), Emmanuel- Thomas
Subs not used: Hadler, Herd, Knott, Osadebe
Oxford United: Eastwood, Lundstram, Nelson, Maguire, MacDonald, Edwards, Hall (Roberts), Taylor, Ledson, Johnson, Dunkley
Subs not used: Buchel, Skarz, Ruffels, Hemmings, Rothwell, Raglan
Referee: Mr S Swabey
Assistants: Mr A Degnarain, Mr A Waters
Fourth official: Mr G Maskell
Attendance: 6,414 (1,238 away)