Second half goals from Conor Masterson, skipper Armani Little’s penalty and Sam Vokes gave Gillingham three points on the road at Harrogate Town.

Not only was it the Gills first ever win at Wetherby Road, but it was also the first time for consecutive League Two wins since mid-September and the first time since March 2021 that the Club had netted three goals in consecutive League games following last weekend’s 3-2 win over Newport County at MEMS Priestfield.

Unlike that classic at home last week, the Gills were always in control of this game in Yorkshire and should have been ahead at the break with the best chances falling to the Newport hero Garath McCleary and Robbie McKenzie towards the end of the opening half.

But as soon as Masterson had drilled the Gills in front, there was to be only one winner. Little’s spot kick – after Josh Andrews had been fouled, gave the Gills the breathing space they deserved before Vokes’ followed up McCleary’s blocked effort just two minutes after coming on as a substitute eight minutes from time to seal the win.

Gareth Ainsworth named the same side that started against Newport and early on Bradley Dack went close with a header that keeper Henry Gray palmed over. Jonny Smith created the chance for Dack, but sadly that was his last involvement as on nineteen he hobbled off to be replaced by McCleary.

Lewis Cass thought he’d given Harrogate the lead, but his “goal” was ruled out, and the Gills went forward trying themselves to grab the advantage. Sam Gale was denied by Gray from a free kick, Masterson had a diving header well saved, before in the half’s closing stages, McCleary was denied in a one-on-one after Andrews played him through and then McKenzie had an effort brilliantly saved by the home keeper.

Gray was finally beaten just minutes after the break as Masterson hammered home an Andrews knock down from a Max Clark free kick, and the Gills were on their way. Three minutes later, Andrews was fouled, and after Dack handed the ball to his skipper, Little hammered the Gills eleventh penalty of the season beyond a diving keeper.

Emile Acquah thought he’d given the home side an almost immediate lifeline but Glenn Morris, on one of his quieter afternoon, made a really smart save to keep his clean sheet intact.

Vokes replaced the incredibly hard-working Andrews with a little under twenty minutes from time and ten minutes later put the icing on the win by converting when McCleary’s effort rolled into his path.

Three points on the road for the Gills for the first time since winning at Bristol Rovers in November and they will be looking to make it three in a row as they head to Cheltenham Town on Tuesday evening.  

HARROGATE TOWN – Gray, Slater, Morris, Acquah, Headman, Muldoon (Sutton), Reece Smith, Cass, Cursons (Thomson), Heffernan, Falkingham (Marsh)

Subs – Oxley, McAleny, Horton, Gibson 

GILLINGHAM – Morris, Gale, Andy Smith, Masterson, Clark, Little, McKenzie, Jonny Smith (McCleary), Dack (Euan Williams), Rowe (Palmer-Houlden), Andrews (Vokes)

Subs – Turner, Hutton, Akomeah 

REFEREE – Mr. Kennard-Kettle

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC