Late strike gives Gills victory in Italy.
Dominic Jefferies struck late at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia to give Gills a 1-0 win over Como.
The midfielder pounced on a rebound inside the box after an effort moments earlier from Josh Chambers had come off the post, and Dom found the top corner with a precise finish.
Neil Harris, as expected, name two separate XI’s for the game with Shaun Williams being the Captain in the opening half. Glenn Morris started in goal with Joe Gbode joining Tom Nichols in attack.
It was a lively opening to the game, although chances were few and far between. Cas Odenthal had the first half opportunity for the hosts via a corner but his header was comfortably gathered by Morris low to his right.
Shortly after Max Ehmer had a shot blocked from point blank range, with Malone’s follow up strike going wide of Adrian Semper’s left post.
Following a short drinks break Como created another half chance with a cross from the right being met by Marco Tremolada, but his effort went over the head of Glenn Morris before landing on top of the net.
The hosts had two opportunities in a matter of moments just before the interval. Tremolada guided a header just beyond the left post of Morris before Alberto Cerri missed a golden chance when, from six yards, he guided a header over following a good cross by Moutir Chajia.
H/T: Como 0-0 Gillingham
The second half started quietly although Ronald Sithole, on at the break, did have a low drilled shot well blocked. At the other end, Alejandro Blanco’s corner was headed narrowly wide by Alessandro Gabrielloni.
Very few opportunities were created from there on in as both teams resisted any attacking threat with solid defensive displays, however that was until the 87th minute when Gillingham took the lead. A cross from Cheye Alexander saw an effort come off the post from Chambers, but Jefferies was well placed to turn the rebound into the top corner sparking mass celebrations among the travelling support base.
At the death, Como very nearly got an equalizer but a header from little over six yards was guided just past the post.
F/T: Como 0-1 Gillingham
Como starting XI: Semper, Iovine, Chajia, Bellemo, Arrigoni, Odenthal, Cerri, Da Cunha, Gatti, Tremolada, Ioannou.
Gillingham (first-half): Morris, McKenzie, Ehmer, Wright, Malone, S Williams, Lapslie, Clarke, J Williams, Gbode, Nichols.
Gillingham (second-half): Turner, Alexander, Gale, Masterson, Clark, Coleman, Dieng, Sithole, Chambers, Jefferies, Hawkins (Orgi 82).