Salford net three goals in the second half at Priestfield to take victory.
Salford scored three second-half goals to claim victory at MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday.
Neil Harris made two changes to the side that drew to Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup last weekend. Scott Kashket and Jordan Green, who linked up for the equaliser in that game, replaced Joe Gbode and Stuart O’Keefe in the starting XI.
In the 11th minute, Shaun Williams almost gave Gillingham the lead. Ben Reeves curled a corner towards the near post, which Williams got on the end of. Unfortunately, he could not direct his header on target as it went just wide of the post.
Reeves came close moments later. He received the ball around 25 yards out and struck an outside-the-foot shot with plenty of power towards the goal. It was directed towards the bottom corner but Tom King got down to push it wide of the post.
Robbie McKenzie had a good attempt from around 25 yards out shortly after. Gills won possession around the Salford penalty area, and the ball was played to McKenzie, who cut inside before curling his shot goalward. It had too much height on it as it curled just over the crossbar.
Matt Smith had the visitors' best opportunity of the half when a cross into the box was directed towards the striker, who was battling with Max Ehmer to win the ball. Fortunately, the Salford man could not make clear contact as the loose ball ended up in the lap of Jake Turner.
Green had a good chance after winning possession outside the Salford penalty area. He struck a powerful effort towards goal, but King was equal to it as he parried it away from danger.
Gills had another good opportunity on the stroke of half-time. Will Wright curled a free-kick from the left side of the penalty area towards the six-yard box. Williams did well to get across and get a head on it. Unfortunately, he could not hit the target as it looped over the crossbar.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 Salford City
Theo Vassell gave Salford the lead in the 54th minute. The visitors won a free-kick, which Eliot Watt curled towards the penalty area. Vassell managed to get himself free before heading beyond Turner.
Mikael Mandron came close to equalising a few minutes later. He did well to get inside the penalty area before drilling a shot across the goal. It beat King and the post as it went just wide of the target.
Ryan Watson doubled the Salford lead in the 63rd minute. He shot from outside the box, and it appeared to be going wide, but the ball took a heavy deflection as it bounced into the middle of the goal with Turner already going to his left.
Callum Hendry almost made it three as he tried to catch Turner off his line. He got on the end of a loose ball that was just inside the Salford half before taking a couple of touches and shooting. He saw Turner well off his line as he tried to lob the Gills keeper. It looked destined for the back of the net, but it went just wide of the post.
Hendry made no mistake a few minutes later as he tried his luck from distance once again. His effort had plenty of power as it cannoned beyond Turner and into the back of the net.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 0-3 Salford City
Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Wright, Ehmer, McKenzie (Baggott 60’ (O’Keefe 83’)), Williams, Jefferies, Reeves (MacDonald 59’), Green, Mandron (Walker 58’), Kashket (Adelakun 78’)
Unused Substitutes: Holtam, Gbode
Salford City: King, Bolton, Vassell, Nartey (Leak 88’), Touray, Watson, Watt, Tolaj (Galbraith 66’), Hendry (Jenkins 88’), Bailey (McAleny 66’), Smith
Unused Substitutes: Chapman, Lowe, Lund
Referee: Paul Howard
Attendance: 3853 (99 away fans)