Gills produce one of their best performances of the season to clinch victory at the LNER Stadium.
Vadaine Oliver and Ben Thompson both scored in the final 15 minutes as Gills beat Lincoln 2-0 at the LNER Stadium to clinch a precious victory on Saturday afternoon.
Oliver gave Gillingham the lead in the 77th minute as he latched onto Thomspon’s cross and leaped highest to head past Josh Griffiths from 12 yards.
The striker returned the favour and assisted Thompson’s goal as the game headed into stoppage time. He flicked the ball into the path of the midfielder, who decided to try his luck from 25 yards out. His low-drilled effort had plenty of power and went beyond Griffiths to find the bottom corner.
Neil Harris made one change to the starting XI that drew at home to AFC Wimbledon in midweek. Dan Phillips came into the line-up for the first time under the Gills new boss, while Ben Reeves dropped to the bench.
Mustapha Carayol was in the matchday squad for the first time since suffering an injury in the win over Crewe earlier in the month.
Gills had the first chance in the 11th minute, and it was a golden one. Phillips won possession midway inside the Lincoln half and ran into the penalty area. He had the chance to shoot but opted to square it to Ben Thompson. The midfielder was in acres of space and slotted the ball beyond Josh Griffiths. However, there was a defender on the line to clear away.
Robbie McKenzie was the next man to come close for Gills in the 19th minute. The ball fell nicely for the former Hull man inside the Lincoln penalty area, and he struck a first-time volley. It forced Griffiths into a save, and he parried it onto the post. Unfortunately, the bounce was not favourable for the Gills, and Lincoln managed to clear their lines.
Jack Tucker did a fantastic job denying Anthony Scully moments later. The ball was played into the penalty area by Brooke Norton-Cuffy, and Scully tried to shoot on the turn. However, he was denied by Tucker's brave sliding block, as he prevented a huge goal scoring opportunity.
HALF-TIME: Lincoln City 0-0 Gillingham
There was a huge moment of panic for Gillingham in the 56th minute. Chris Maguire tried his luck from over 20 yards out and forced Chapman into a save. The Gills keeper was unable to keep hold of the ball, and it squirmed underneath him. There were hearts in mouths as it seemed the ball was going to trickle over the line, but Chapman did well to recover and stopped the ball from crossing the line.
In the 77th minute, Vadaine Oliver headed Gillingham in front. Thompson won a header inside the Lincoln half, and Stuart O’Keefe gave it right back to him. Thompson then cut inside on his right foot and curled a lofted ball towards the penalty area. Oliver came steaming in to out jump Griffiths and two Lincoln defenders and headed into the back of the net.
Heading into stoppage time, Thompson scored a stunner to put Gills out of sight. Oliver flicked it into the path of the midfielder, who brought the ball forward. He decided to shoot from 25 yards. It was a low-drilled effort with plenty of power, which beat Griffiths and found the bottom corner.
FULL-TIME: Lincoln City 0-2 Gillingham
Lincoln City: Griffiths, Poole, Norton-Cuffy, Walsh, Bramall, Maguire, Scully (Cullen 87’), McGrandles, Bishop (Sanders 57’), Marquis, Hopper (Whittaker 70’)
Unused Substitutes: Wright, Fiorini, Sorenson, Eyoma
Gillingham: Chapman, Tucker, Ehmer, Masterson, Jackson, McKenzie, Lee (Reeves 69’), O’Keefe, Thompson, Phillips, Oliver
Unused Substitutes: Dahlberg, Maghoma, Tutonda, Carayol, Dickson-Peters, Kelman
Referee: Ross Joyce
Attendance: 8208 (362 Gills fans)