It wasn’t pretty but it was three SKYBet League One points for Gillingham as Mikael Mandron’s goal at Priestfield proved enough to see off Lincoln City.
It’s been an encouraging if frustrating time for the home faithful this season who have seen their heroes produce some fantastic performances only to come up just short!
This was a day when the Gills dominated almost from start to finish but only had Mandron’s volley just before half time to show for their efforts against a resolute Lincoln side who have struggled since the recent departure of boss Danny Cowley to Huddersfield.
The Gills side showed a solitary change from the side that took Sunderland to an FA Cup replay which was enforced with Tom O’Connor being away with the young Irish.
Yet Evans’ line-up at kick off surprised many, with youngster Jack Tucker coming into the heart of the defence alongside skipper Max Ehmer with Connor Ogilvie moving to left back with Barry Fuller starting his first home game in six weeks.
Early on, Lincoln were happy to put numbers behind the ball and leave the home side with lots of possession as the Gills patiently searched for the chink in the red wall – Mark Byrne’s cross had keeper Josh Vickers flapping as the ball flew across the box just too far in front of the hard working Brandon Hanlan. Hanlan then played a great ball down the right channel for Mandron to run onto, but the keeper just got to the ball first.
What proved to be the game’s only goal arrived in the 24th minute – Byrne’s centre from the left was headed into the ground by a defender and Mandron reacted quickest and volleyed the bouncing ball past Vickers.
As comfortable as the Gills were, there was always the thought that Lincoln might start playing and just before half time Bruno Andrade’s shot looped off Ogilvie and dropped into the Rainham End to send warning signals.
In truth, they didn’t, and the Gills continued to probe and search for a second that could have opened the flood gates. But to their frustration, the Gills didn’t find another way through.
Stuart O’Keefe shot over after good work from Byrne and Mandron; Hanlan had a shot deflected agonisingly wide of the left post before Mandron thumped a header (from a Fuller cross) off the angle of post and bar.
It showed what a rough afternoon the visiting supporters were having when their biggest cheer came when Fuller sliced a clearance that cleared the Gordon Road stand.
And then, their afternoon was complete when with their best opportunity of the game in stoppage time, Tyler Walker’s free header at the back post was well turned over the bar by Jack Bonham, who for the previous ninety plus minutes had had precious little to do.
Gills boss Steve Evans has said previously that his sides get stronger as the season goes on and the determination and the patience that his side showed in gaining these three points would have pleased him no end – as comfortable a one nil win as any home fan could wish to see after a really solid, dominant performance.
This now sets the Gills up nicely for Tuesday’s Cup replay.
GILLINGHAM – Jack Bonham, Barry Fuller, Max Ehmer, Jack Tucker, Connor Ogilvie, Mark Byrne, Stuart O’Keefe, Olly Lee (Regan Charles-Cook 88), Alfie Jones. Mikael Mandron, Brandon Hanlan (Alex Jakubiak 92)
Subs – Joe Walsh, Lee Hodson, Mikael Ndjoli, Ouse Cisse, Mark Marshall
LINCOLN CITY – Josh Vickers, Harry Toffolo, Jason Shackell, Tom Pett, Jack Payne (Harry Anderson HT), Bruno Andrade, Ellis Chapman, Tyler Walker, Callum Connelly (Cian Bolger HT), Neal Eardley, Jake Hesketh (John Akinde 70)
Subs – Grant Smith, Lee Frecklington, Jorge Grant, Max Melbourne
REFEREE – Mr Christopher Pollard
ASSISTANTS – Mr Leigh Crowhurst & Adrian Tranter
FOURTH OFFICIAL – Mr Ryan Whitaker
Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club