Josh Andrews scored the only goal of the game at MEMS Priestfield as Gillingham maintained their excellent unbeaten league run under manager Gareth Ainsworth.

Andrews was on hand to head home Remeao Hutton’s cross early in the second half to extend the club’s undefeated run in the league to 20 games, equalling the record set back in 1974 and The Gills now stand just one game away from making history.

With the likes of Armani Little and Conor Masterson forced to watch on from the sidelines, the latter arriving at the ground with his foot in a boot and on crutches, Gillingham took to the field in a 4-3-3 formation as Jonny Smith was handed a start on the right side of a three up top, whilst Bradley Dack returned to the starting line up and was given the captain’s armband.

With the sun shining down on MEMS Priestfield one minute and pouring down the next, the 6000 plus crowd were hoping for an entertaining game and they weren’t to be disappointed.

Gillingham came out of the traps strongly and nearly took the lead early on when a left-footed cross from Hutton missed everybody inside the box and Magpies keeper Kelle Roos had to be alert low to his right to palm the ball clear.

Shots from Bradley Dack and the marauding Sam Gale narrowly missed the target as Gillingham went in search of the breakthrough, with Alassana Jatta heading over Jacob Bedeau’s cross for the visitors when it seemed easier to score.

Going in at the break level but goalless left many fans wondering quite how we hadn’t seen a goal, but that wasn’t to be for much longer.

With less than a minute on the clock in the second half, Gills finally found a breakthrough. Hutton had space on the right to deliver a cross, found Andrews unmarked and the striker found the bottom right corner with a well-executed header.

County came back into the game looking for the equaliser but were dealt a blow in the 59th minute when Kellan Gordon had to be stretchered off, but that saw the talented Jobi Jones enter the fray and it was he that was to cause Gillingham the most problems in the remaining half an hour (plus ten add minutes).

Dennis put a header over the bar for the visitors whilst Jones was thwarted by the ever youthful Glenn Morris.

Gillingham continued to press for that second goal and some neat work around the box led to half chances, but changes from the bench saw a slight drop in quality as the home side tried to shut up shop and secure the three points.

Aaron Rowe could and should have made it 2-0 with seconds left on the clock when put through, but Roos made a strong save and the home faithful had to settle for “just” a 1-0 win.

That victory was widely celebrated by Gareth Ainsworth and his charges at the end and rightly so. Even with the win The Gills drop to second in League Two behind Swindon Town who go above them on goals scored.

However, that won’t bother many wearing or watching in blue as the unbeaten run continues under the impressive Ainsworth.

Next up is a trip to Newport County next Saturday and many Gillingham fans will travel to Wales hoping to see history made.

Gillingham line up: Morris, Hutton, Gale, A Smith, Clark, McKenzie, Williams, J Smith (Rowe 70), Dack (Wyllie 90+5), Nevitt, Andrews (Vokes 69).

Subs not used: Turner, Cirino, Akomeah, Ogie.

Goal: Andrews (46).

Booked: Andrews (36), A Smith (65), Nevitt (75), Mckenzie (93).

Notts County line up: Roos, Gordon (Cotter 59), Bedeau, Iorpenda (Hall 59), McDonald, Norburn (Grant 78), Palmer, Aljofree, Tsaroulla (Jones 59), Jatta, Dennis (Robertson 84).

Subs not used: Griffiths, Macari.

Booked: Dennis (15).

Referee: Mr Sam Mulhall

Attendance: 6743