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Gillingham 1-3 Burton Albion
Gillingham 1-3 Burton Albion

The return of Steve Lovell to Priestfield did little to inspire relegation threatened Gillingham as their hopes for survival went for a Burton on Saturday.

The former manager was handed the reins for the must win game and everything looked rosy when Robbie McKenzie fired the home side in front in the opening minutes, but a poor defensive second half saw The Gills capitulate to yet another home defeat.

Lovell rang the changes in terms of personnel and system operating with a 4-4-2, albeit using a diamond midfield, with Jack Tucker pairing Max Ehmer in the heart of the defence, whilst the returning on loan striker Charlie Kelman was to partner Vadaine Oliver in attack.

Lovell saw his side take the lead three minutes in when Robbie McKenzie fired home from close range after Burton goalkeeper Ben Garratt parried Kyle Dempsey’s stinging volley.

The Gills, who had not scored a home league goal since 19 October prior to kick-off, almost doubled their advantage as Ben Reeves dragged a low effort narrowly wide.

But Burton levelled five minutes into the second half thanks to Tom Hamer’s looping header from Cameron Borthwick-Jackson’s pinpoint delivery.

Olly Lee forced Garratt into a fingertip save from distance and Dempsey blazed high and wide following a surging run into the Albion box.

Captain John Brayford put the visitors ahead 11 minutes from time as he capitalised on Jack Tucker’s miscued clearance to head past Pontus Dahlberg from six yards.

Substitute Jonny Smith then tapped home from Charlie Lakin’s cross within a minute of coming on to clinch a deserved come-from-behind victory for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s side.

It means Gillingham have now gone eleven league games without a win, just one off an ominous record and sit 23rd in League One, some eight points from safety and behind AFC Wimbledon who have two games in hand.

Whether it’s Lovell still in charge when Gillingham next play is anyone’s guess. They travel north next Saturday to face fourth placed Wigan Athletic for what looks like a daunting test on paper.

Gillingham line up: Dahlberg, Jackson, Ehmer, Tucker, McKenzie (Tutonda 76), O’Keefe (Lloyd 59), Dempsey, Reeves (Carayol 80), Lee, Kelman, Oliver.

Subs not used: Chapman, Bennett, Dickson-Peters, Akinde.

Goal: McKenzie (3).

Booked: Tucker (25), Dempsey (84).

Burton Albion line up: Garratt, Brayford, Borthwick-Jackson, Oshilaja, Hughes, Hamer, Taylor, O’Connor (Lakin 74), Powell, Jebbison (Smith 86), Ahadme.

Subs not used: Hawkins, Kokolo, Leak, Moult, Mancienne.

Goals: Hamer (50), Brayford (79), Smith (87).

Booked: Hamer (16).

Referee: Mr Thomas Bramall

Attendance: 4198 (123 Burton).

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.

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