A look back at the promotion winning campaign
We move into February as Richard Day reviews the record-breaking 2012-13 League Two title winning campaign…Port Vale had gone back into top spot by the time the Sky cameras made an appearance at Priestfield on February 4, a game where, for once, the Gills put in a below-par performance against Gareth Ainsworth’s Wycombe Wanderers.
Gillingham created but failed to take a number of chances throughout the 90+ minutes while at the other end man-of-the-match Stuart Nelson was inspirational, he was regularly called into action and pulled off a couple of fantastic saves.
In a game where Anton Robinson made his debut on loan from Huddersfield Town as substitute, it was Chairboys Matt McClure that grabbed an 85th minute winner.
A trip to Capital One Cup finalists Bradford City followed on the 9th and a resilient performance helped them to a 1-0 triumph at the Coral Windows Stadium.
Great vision from Deon Burton saw him send strike partner Cody McDonald through to slot past the advancing Matt Duke for the only goal of the game with 64 minutes gone.
After the game goalscorer McDonald said "It's great to get on the scoresheet again but credit goes to the lads who had to grind it out today.
"My personal performance wasn't as great as I would like in the first half, but to come here and win isn't easy and it's a massive positive for us.
"You're not going to get loads of chances so it's important you stick some away. Both teams were solid - thankfully I managed to stick mine away.”
Neither side could find a winner as the Gills earned a point from a goalless draw in a rearranged game against York at Bootham Crescent although Charlie Lee did strike the bar from distance late on.
On the following Saturday (16th) a 68th minute penalty from substitute Burton completed the Gills 2-1 home win over Dagenham, the three points seeing them move back above Micky Adams side to the summit of League Two.
Leon Legge had earlier thumped Gillingham into a 29th minute-lead which Femi Ilesanmi levelled seven minutes into the second-half.
The following week another McDonald goal, this time a glancing 50th minute header from a Myles Weston corner, saw the Gills cement their place at the top of the table with a 1-0 win at Chesterfield.
This win set a new club record of 11 away triumphs and boss Martin Allen was proud of the achievement afterwards, he said "It's a historic day, it's for the football club, the supporters, players and the chairman. I'm proud to be the manager to get this record.”
Unfortunately the month didn’t end on the best of notes as Oxford became the sixth club to depart Priestfield with all three points after Alfie Potter registered the only goal of the game with just six minutes remaining.
Brentford loanee Antonio German made his debut as a 73rd minute substitute when replacing Adam Birchall.
League form - LWDWWL League position at the end of the month – Top
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