Billy Sharp’s first-half goal proved the difference as Gillingham suffered their first league defeat of the season, losing 1-0 to Doncaster Rovers at The Eco-Power Stadium.
Gillingham manager Mark Bonner made three changes to the side that beat Chesterfield 1-0 in their previous league fixture. Max Ehmer missed the game due to his one-match suspension, with Oli Hawkins starting in his place.
Ethan Coleman made his first league start of the season, replacing Robbie McKenzie, who missed out. Jayden Clarke started in place of Aaron Rowe, who hobbled off with an injury during the first half of the Chesterfield fixture.
There was a late change to the Gillingham substitutes bench, with Joe Gbode coming in for Bradley Dack.
There was a slight moment of panic in the seventh minute. Jordan Gibson was put through on goal, but the pass was overhit. However, Glenn Morris lost his footing momentarily. Fortunately, the Gills goalkeeper recovered in time to smother the loose ball.
Gibson had the first shot of the game 11 minutes later. A Doncaster short corner was played to Zain Westbrooke, who had the time to wait before passing to Gibson, with the winger having space outside the box. He brought it forward before shooting, with his effort going well wide of the post.
Gills started to grow into the game after 20 minutes, with Jack Nolan having a half-chance. Remeao Hutton’s long throw into the penalty area was chested down by Hawkins into Nolan’s path. The wide man thumped a first-time effort goalward, which took two deflections before the ball was cleared.
The hosts caught Gillingham on the counter-attack on 27 minutes, coming close to taking the lead. Brandon Fleming had the ball out on the left around 20 yards from the goal before passing inside for Gibson, whose turn put him one-on-one with Morris. His effort was well-saved by the Gillingham goalkeeper before the rebound came out to Jamie Sterry, who saw his effort blocked.
That gave Doncaster a boost, and they were in front moments later. A high looping cross from the right went to the back post and was headed down towards the six-yard box by Gibson. It fell to Billy Sharp, who shot on the turn, smacking it beyond Morris, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance of keeping it out.
Luke Molyneux nearly made it two when a free-kick into the penalty area was punched clear by Morris. It went as far as Molyneux, who looped a volley goalward from an awkward angle, just going over the crossbar.
In the 41st minute, Sharp had the chance to score his second. A cross from Owen Bailey reached an unmarked Sharp inside the penalty area. Fortunately, he could not guide his header goalward, sending it wide of the post.
HALF-TIME: Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Gillingham
Elliott Nevitt replaced Marcus Wyllie at half-time, making his league debut for the Gills.
The hosts started the second period on the front foot when the ball was played out to Molyneux. He brought the ball onto his right foot before attempting a cross. It was blocked by Max Clark before looping towards the near post, just going over the crossbar.
Another Molyneux cross caused panic when his floated ball across the goal hit the top of the crossbar before bouncing away from danger.
The pressure on the Gillingham goal continued as Doncaster had two great opportunities in a matter of seconds. The first came when the ball eventually found its way through to Bailey, who was one-on-one with Morris. The Gills goalkeeper was quick off his line to block the shot, which went out to the wide right.
Doncaster were first to the loose ball, sending a cross towards the near post in the direction of Harry Clifton. The ball took a small touch off a Gillingham player to take it out of his path before the danger was dealt with.
In the 58th minute, a Hutton corner caused issues for the hosts. The right-back’s delivery from the left curled towards the back post, forcing Ted Sharman-Lowe to backpedal before pushing the ball away. It dropped into the path of Hawkins, who drilled an effort goalward. The ball was blocked near the goal line before the hosts were awarded a free-kick.
On the hour, the visitors made a double substitution, with Jonny Williams and Jacob Wakeling replacing Coleman and Clarke.
As Gills looked to find an equaliser, they brought Josh Andrews into the game in the 77th minute, replacing George Lapslie.
With their final role of the dice, Gbode was brought on for Nolan in the 83rd minute.
Armani Little tried his luck from distance during stoppage time when a corner was cleared as far as the midfielder. Unfortunately, his effort went just over the crossbar.
FULL-TIME: Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Gillingham
Doncaster Rovers: Sharman-Lowe, Sterry, Anderson, McGrath, Fleming, Bailey, Westbrooke (Close 80’), Molyneux (Olowu 90+2’), Clifton, Gibson (Hurst 80’), Sharp (Ironside 61’)
Unused Substitutes: Lawlor, Sbarra, Yeboah
Gillingham: Morris, Hutton, Hawkins, Ogie, Clark, Coleman (J. Williams 60’), Little, Clarke (Wakeling 60’), Lapslie (Andrews 77’), Nolan (Gbode 83’), Wyllie (Nevitt 46’)
Unused Substitutes: Ashby-Hammond, Giles
Referee: Thomas Parsons
