Shrewsbury score twice in the second half to seal 2-1 victory over Gills.
Second-half goals from Tom Bloxham and Sam Cosgrove earned Shrewsbury their first win of the season as they beat Gills 2-1 at Montgomery Waters Meadow on Saturday.
Bloxham scored an overhead kick whilst Cosgrove managed to direct a shot into the bottom corner as the hosts overturned the half-time deficit.
Jack Tucker had put Gills in front during the first half as his header had too much power for Marko Marosi.
Steve Evans made several changes to the starting XI that lost on penalties in midweek to Cheltenham. Jamie Cumming, Ryan Jackson, Jack Tucker, Kyle Dempsey and Mustapha Carayol all returned to the line-up.
Daniel Phillips featured in the team for the first time since picking up a knock in the defeat at Plymouth. Vadaine Oliver was able to shake off his ankle problem in time to start the game.
Daniel Udoh had the first chance of the game in the fourth minute. A cross was curled into the area, and Udoh did well to get across and make a connection on it. However, the ball went wide of the post and hit the stanchion.
In the 13th minute, Jack Tucker gave Gillingham the lead. Kyle Dempsey’s corner was curled towards the centre of the box, and it was an accurate one. Tucker was stood on his own, and his header had too much power for Marosi, who could not keep it out.
The hosts almost found an immediate equaliser but were denied by Max Ehmer. A cross towards the far post met the head of a Shrewsbury player. His header across goal beat Jamie Cumming, but Ehmer was on the line to clear away.
Vadaine Oliver came close to adding a second in the 18th minute. Gills did well to push up the pitch, thanks to Mustapha Carayol. After possession around the area, they were eventually able to get the cross into the box through Dempsey. Oliver was the man on the end of the cross but headed over the bar.
Jamie Cumming did brilliantly to deny Sam Cosgrove from an easy finish in the 42nd minute. Dan Adshead’s back pass was under-hit and allowed Cosgrove to latch onto the loose ball. Cumming was on his way to meet it, and Cosgrove tried to poke it beyond the Chelsea loanee, but the keeper did well to keep his focus and stick his leg in front of the ball.
HALF-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 0-1 Gillingham
Just short of the hour, Tom Bloxham equalised for the hosts spectacularly. He tried an overhead kick from just inside the penalty area, and it arrowed into the top corner giving Cumming no chance.
Cosgrove put the Shrews in front in the 68th minute. A low ball into the box was met by the forward near the penalty spot. He struck it first time and directed it into the bottom corner.
Ben Reeves came close to levelling the score with just ten minutes to go. After some nice build-up play, the second-half substitute tried his luck. However, Marosi managed to push it away for a corner, which came to nothing.
Cumming did well to deny Nathanael Ogbeta in stoppage time. A quick free-kick set the wide man on his way, and he directed a fierce effort towards the near post. The Chelsea loanee got a solid palm onto it to push it over the bar.
Daniel Phillips and David Davis were both sent off for second yellow cards deep into stoppage time, after which the full-time whistle blew.
FULL-TIME: Shrewsbury Town 2-1 Gillingham
Shrewsbury Town: Marosi, Bennett, Ebanks-Landell, Pierre, Nurse (Ogbeta 65’), Luke Leahy, Davis,Vela, Bloxham (Bowman 65’), Udoh, Cosgrove (Pyke 83’)
Unused Subs: Burgoyne, Whalley, Daniels, Leshabela
Gillingham: Cumming, Jackson (Tutonda 45’), Ehmer, Tucker, Bennett (Lloyd 71’), McKenzie, Adshead (Reeves 54’), Phillips, Dempsey, Carayol, Oliver
Unused Substitutes: Chapman, Akehurst, Lee, O’Keefe
Referee: Mr Sam Allison
Attendance: 4625