Bradley Dack scored a last-gasp winner, securing Gareth Ainsworth’s first win in charge of Gillingham, as they beat Milton Keynes Dons 1-0 at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The goal came from a Max Clark free-kick, which was curled towards the back post. It found Conor Masterson, who headed the ball back across the goal for Dack, who controlled it before prodding it into the back of the net from a couple of yards out.
The win also proved memorable for Taite Holtam, who kept a clean sheet on his EFL debut for the Football Club.
Taite started in goal with Glenn Morris left out due to a slight hamstring strain.
There were two other changes to the starting XI, as Robbie McKenzie and Euan Williams started in place of Jonny Williams and Joe Gbode. Bradley Dack, Asher Agbinone and Jayden Clarke were named among the substitutes.
The opening 15 minutes were hard-fought in the midfield, with both goalkeepers left untested. Two injury stoppages broke up the play, as neither side could gain momentum.
In the 22nd minute, Sam Gale forced Craig MacGillivray into a save. The ball was played to Gale on the edge of the penalty area, who set himself before striking towards the bottom left corner. His low drive was palmed away by MacGillivray, with Elliott Nevitt closing in on the rebound. However, a defender nipped in at the final moment to clear away.
Scott Hogan had the ball in the back of the net in the 37th minute, but it was ruled out for offside. Alex Gilbey played a through ball for Hogan, who had strayed beyond the last defender. The forward beat Holtam to the ball before slotting it past the oncoming goalkeeper, but the linesman’s flag was raised to chalk it off.
Remeao Hutton tried his luck soon after. Robbie McKenzie played a switching pass to the right-back, who found himself on the corner of the penalty area. Hutton got beyond a defender before sending a low-driven effort towards the near post. It was a strong shot, but MacGillivray was equal to it, saving with his foot.
Gilbey came close during first-half stoppage time. Some slick one-touch passing culminated in the MK captain shooting from over 20 yards out. His effort caused a moment of panic before flying over the crossbar.
Moments later, Gills were forced into their first change. Euan Williams, who had been on the end of a hefty challenge, could not continue after receiving treatment on multiple occasions. He was replaced by Gbode.
HALF-TIME: Gillingham 0-0 MK Dons
The hosts had a half-chance in the opening moments of the second period. Max Clark delivered a high looping cross into the box, with Gbode competing with a defender. The Gills forward was seemingly hauled to the ground as he attempted to make contact. The ball bounced off Gbode before bouncing into the arms of the waiting MacGillivray.
The visitors had a massive opportunity when Callum Hendry dispossessed Shad Ogie as the defender was preparing to clear his lines. The forward raced through on goal, with Ogie sprinting back to apply pressure. Hendry cut the ball back in the direction of Hogan, but the ball was slightly behind him, and Clark took control of the loose ball before clearing away.
The Gills left-back tried his luck with a speculative effort on 59 minutes. He received the ball 25 yards from the goal before sending a low-driven shot towards the bottom right corner. It had the pace and power to worry MacGillivray, who had to get across to his bottom corner to ensure that he had it covered.
In the 62nd minute, Gillingham made their second change as Dack replaced Aaron Rowe.
With 12 minutes remaining, Dack hit the crossbar. Clark curled a free-kick from the left into the penalty area, with Dack peeling away from his marker to head goalward. His attempt was high and looping, and it hit the top of the bar before going out of play.
Gills made their final two substitutions, with Oli Hawkins and Clarke coming on for Gbode and Hutton.
In the final seconds of the game, Dack prodded home a late winner. Clark curled a free-kick from the left towards the back post, which found Masterson. He headed the ball back across the goal, finding an unmarked Dack, who controlled the ball before thumping home from a couple of yards out.
FULL-TIME: Gillingham 1-0 MK Dons
Gillingham: Holtam, Hutton (Clarke 83’), Gale, Masterson, Ogie, Clark, Little, McKenzie, E. Williams (Gbode 45+2’ (Hawkins 83’)), Rowe (Dack 62’), Nevitt
Unused Substitutes: Nolan, Agbinone, Morgan
MK Dons: MacGillivray, Offord, Sanders, Maguire, O’Reilly, Lemonheigh-Evans, Thompson-Sommers (Kelly 85’), Tomlinson, Hendry (White 67’), Gilbey (Orsi 86’), Hogan
Unused Substitutes: Trueman, Leko, Nemane, Waller
Referee: Robert Massey-Ellis
Attendance: 6080 (208 away fans)
