Paul Cook’s first game in charge of Town ended in defeat as the Blues were beaten 3-1 at Gillingham. Jack Tucker gave the Gills the lead in the seventh minute but skipper Luke Chambers pulled a goal back for Town on 65, however, Vadaine Oliver netted in the 73rd and 80th minutes to see the home side to a deserved first home league victory over the Blues.

Josh Harrop started in place of Alan Judge in an otherwise unchanged Town line-up for new boss Paul Cook’s first game in charge of the Blues.

Judge was missing from the 18 due to a family bereavement and the team wore black armbands on their light blue away strip as a mark of respect.

The Blues set up in the same system as employed in their last four games with former Gill Tomas Holy in goal.

Chambers was at right-back as he entered the top 10 of Town’s all-time appearance makers, Myles Kenlock at left-back with Toto Nsiala and James Wilson the centre-halves.

In midfield, Andre Dozzell and Teddy Bishop continued as the central two with Harrop a direct replacement for Judge on the left with Keanan Bennetts on the right. Parrott was in the number 10 role behind lone out-and-out striker James Norwood.

Jackson was back in the 18 for the first time since his sending off against Sunderland and exile to the U23s under former manager Paul Lambert. Luke Woolfenden also returned to the matchday squad.

Gillingham were unchanged from their 1-1 home draw with the MK Dons on Tuesday evening with former Blues loanee Jordan Graham and one-time Town academy youngster Stuart O’Keefe in their starting line-up.

The home side took the lead in the seventh minute from the game’s first serious attack. Dozzell fouled Graham not far outside the area to the right and Tom O’Connor lifted a ball into the area which was nodded on to the back post by Robbie Cundy from where Tucker smashed his first ever league goal past Holy.

The home side continued to look the more dangerous team and in the 11th minute keeper Jack Bonham’s long ball forward was flicked towards goal by Cundy but without enough power to trouble Holy.

Three minutes later the Gills felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Kenlock and Graham tangled as the winger tried to bring the ball in from the right.

Home manager Steve Evans and his assistant Paul Raynor, already constantly vocal towards the officials in any case, made that point forcefully towards the referee, his assistant and the fourth official. Town manager Cook had a quieter word with the fourth official, presumably to enquire whether Kenlock had been fouled.

O’Connor’s free-kick was blocked by Dozzell before the ball was blazed over by skipper Kyle Dempsey from the edge of the box.

Gillingham were very close to doubling their lead in the 19th minute when Olly Lee struck an effort on the turn which slammed against the foot of the post and away to safety.

Town were struggling to get into the game with too many battles being won by the more physical Gills.

However, in the 24th minute, Norwood drilled a bouncing ball over from the left and it fell to Harrop, who took a touch before hitting a strike which cannoned off a defender.

The Blues started to settle down and began get their passing going for a spell and in the 29th minute Parrott came very close to a leveller. After a long spell of Blues possession, Bennetts worked himself space on the right and crossed for Parrott, whose brilliant overhead kick struck the outside of the post.

The on-loan Tottenham man rued his bad luck as he continued his wait for his first senior goal.

Town should have been back on terms in the 39th minute when Harrop’s ball over the top beat Tucker and sent Norwood away on goal. The striker took the ball into the area but just as he was pulling the trigger, the Gillingham defender got back to slide in and block. Norwood will feel he shouldn’t have waited so long to shoot.

Two minutes into injury time Harrop curled a free-kick into the wall after Parrott had been fouled and moments later referee Graham Salisbury brought the half to an end.

Aside from the spell in which Parrott hit the post, the Blues had been disappointing having been unable to impose their game on the more frantic, direct approach taken by the Gills. Town needed to show more patience and avoid being drawn into playing in a way more suited to the home side.

However, they ought to have been on terms with Parrott unlucky and Norwood having spurned the best opportunity when through one-on-one.

The Gills struck the first shot of the second period, Oliver hitting an effort wide of Holy’s right post two minutes after the restart.

The home side went close again in the 51st minute when a loose ball fell to Oliver on the right of the area but Wilson dived in to make a vital challenge.

Again Town had struggled to get going, although on 58 Harrop was able to cross into the box but too close to Gills keeper Jack Bonham, who was yet to make a save.

The Kent side ought to have been 2-0 in front in the 63rd minute when a long throw from the right was flicked on and Lee headed weakly within Holy’s reach. A bit more power and direction and the game would have been all but over.

But two minutes later the Blues were on terms. Bishop was felled as he burst through midway inside the Gills half, much to the frustration of home manager Evans, who loudly claimed it was a “scandalous decision”.

Town’s set pieces hadn’t been up to much previously and Harrop appeared to under-hit his ball into the box but Chambers looped a brilliant header from not far inside the area over Bonham and just under the bar for his third goal of the season.

Parity having been restored, manager Cook made a triple substitution, swapping Parrott, Harrop and Bennetts for Gwion Edwards, Freddie Sears and Flynn Downes with Bishop moving into the number 10 role.

The Blues looked to have the momentum with them but in the 73rd minute the Gills went back in front. Sears sloppily gave the ball away midway inside the opposition half and the home side broke quickly down the right before Dempsey sent over a cross for Oliver, who swept into the net from eight yards out.

Town immediately swapped Dozzell for Jackson as they chased a second equaliser of the afternoon using a 4-4-2 system with Bishop having moved back into the centre of midfield.

Sub Jackson came very close to his second goal of the season in the 77th minute when he headed a Dozzell corner from the right off the bar. The ball looped to Norwood who nodded goalwards with his effort appearing to be kept out by O’Connor’s arm. However, referee Salisbury saw it otherwise despite Town protests.

Four minutes later, the game was effectively over as Gillingham scored their third of the afternoon. The Blues struggled to clear their lines after Holy had twice blocked on the edge of the area. A clearance down the right only reached Connor Ogilvie, the left-back’s header back reached Oliver, who deftly curled past Holy and inside his left post.

After seven minutes of additional time, referee Salisbury confirmed the Blues’ first defeat in six and a loss in the opening game of the Cook era.

Town got themselves back on terms via Chambers’s excellent header and needed to push on from there, however, they let Gillingham off the hook by allowing them their second goal and the third sealed the result.

Early days for manager Cook, who only took training for the first time on Thursday, although the new boss will be disappointed that the momentum built up by the results prior to his arrival couldn’t be maintained.

Town, who drop to eighth in the table but still two off the top six, are next in action when currently third Lincoln City are at Portman Road on Tuesday.

Gillingham: Bonham, Jackson, Cundy, Tucker, Ogilvie, O'Keefe, Dempsey (c), Graham (MacDonald 90), Lee (Akinde 80), O'Connor, Oliver. Unused: Bastien, Johnson, McKenzie, Willock, Morton.

Town: Holy, Chambers (c), Nsiala, Wilson, Kenlock, Dozzell (Jackson 74), Bishop, Bennetts (Edwards 68), Harrop (Sears 68), Parrott (Downes 68), Norwood. Unused: Cornell, Woolfenden, Ward, Downes, Edwards, Sears, Jackson. Referee: Graham Salisbury (Lancashire).

Photo: PagePix

norfolkbluey added 16:58 - Mar 6 Not the best of starts for any incoming manager. I don't think it was a wise thing changing that many players midway through the match or maybe PC was seeing what the subs could do which turned out to be rubbish. Unless the manager can turn 'pigs ears' into 'silk purses' to coin a phrase, there is little hope of even the 'playoffs'. We can only hope PC has a 'cunning plan' for Tuesday night. This was definitely a reality check for the whole club and supporters.

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TractorFrog added 16:59 - Mar 6 Anyone who says Cook out after this match should be banned from the site.
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happybeingblue added 17:03 - Mar 6 well that was a reality check ...oh well get the beer out early and crank that favourite cd selection up!
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SickParrot added 17:05 - Mar 6 Whilst Lambert had to go I guess today proves that it wasn't all his fault! As others have said, PC will have learnt a lot today. He may now regret having raised fans expectations by saying we have a strong squad and mentioning automatic promotion. Because the standard of the league is so low this year, if PC can work his magic we could still reach the playoffs this year but I think its unlikely. We do really need a big clear out of players this summer and if PC is allowed to bring in the players he wants (takeover required) we should be pushing for automatic promotion within 2 years. Evans out, consortium in.

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RobITFC added 17:06 - Mar 6 still only 2 pts off the play offs but for goodness sake, these players are simply not good enough, if they cannot perform in front of their new manager on his 1st game then they are pathetic and should not even be here, proves it not just the manager but the players are also the problem.
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heathen66 added 17:08 - Mar 6 Awful performance, just seemed as thought we expected to turn up and win. 2nd best in every department, just did not compete. Ball watching for the first, not picking up runners into the box for the 2nd and a calamity for the 3rd. Thought Nsiala and Wilson battled well but that was about it tbh Harrop and Parrott were awful, could not control a football or pass it to a white(ish) shirt. Bishop and Dozzell wee bullied otut of the game from the first minute Norwood needs to concentrate on football rather than wrestling. Needed Jackson to get beyond the defence and Norwood won very little of the long balls. Great unbiassed commentary from BBC Radio Kent, who summed us up completely. After about 10 mins they both stated that we will get no joy lobbing the ball to Norwood as basically they have 3 CBs who will win everything...and they did !!! Having said that, it is just one game, a wake up call if you like !!! Roll on Tuesday and 3 points. COYB !!! I am sure Cook won't let that happen again !!!

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TimmyH added 17:21 - Mar 6 Says it all about the league when Northampton easily beat Portsmouth and a lowly Burton beat Peterboro i.e. poor!
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mike added 17:22 - Mar 6 Leagueonescum: his mother died!
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mike added 17:23 - Mar 6 Leagueonescum: his mother died!
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algarvefan added 17:26 - Mar 6 It really is time for Paul Cook, now to sit down with his staff, new and old with a blank sheet of paper and go through our squad and pick the best team for the style of football he (PC) wants to play. I think we need to see out the season with players who at least look fit enough to be on the pitch and have the desire to play for the badge. Freddie Sears looked liked the Pilsury Dough boy wen he came on and gave Gillingham 2 assists!!! Onwards and hopefully upwards.

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Vanisleblue2 added 17:26 - Mar 6 People keep talking about how good our squad is and how we have talent to win this league. The best midfielder in the Division, Downes. Judge will walk this league. Dozzell and Bishop are quality etc. etc. Well 31 games and all the games last season tells a different story. We are bang average with some games we are awful. This is the worst group of players in 50 plus years of ITFC. Not just my opinion but fact.

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runaround added 17:28 - Mar 6 Well that puts a pin through the balloon of confidence doesn't it! A timely reminder there is a lot of work to be done to turn this club around as there are things wrong both off and on the pitch. We were bullied and out battled all over the pitch today. Some players are going to be out of the reckoning over the next 5 months I suspect. Potential big changes & interesting times ahead

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londontractorboy57 added 17:32 - Mar 6 TimmyH Bet u a shilling MM does more with Cardiff than the club i used to love for 45 years do under cook
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BcarefulwhatUWish4 added 17:33 - Mar 6 Real opportunity for the players to show what they've got; new manager in, feel good factor back. Followed by a dreadful performance. Defence poor (Wilson best of the defenders). Midfield was woeful.Strikers really poor. Subs woeful. Strange tactics (changing it all around when we had just managed to get an equaliser). Hope that's a one-off.
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londontractorboy57 added 17:36 - Mar 6 same result same melt comments RIP ITFC BCWYF ITS CRUCIFIED OUR CLUB
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BeattiesBackPocket added 17:37 - Mar 6 Londontractoryboy difference is mm has a decent squad but here he didn't as the owner didn't invest even during the freak season we were top!
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Michael101 added 17:39 - Mar 6 London tractor wait till the fans are back at Cardiff mad Mick will do bore them to sleep every game.
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truthhurts added 17:46 - Mar 6 Firstly, my earlier remark regarding Blue Action, was tongue firmly in cheek. Humour bypass by some folk. Apologies if anyone took it too seriously (although i don't agree with all of BA behaviour, just a personal opinion). Regarding the manager change. That was needed without a shadow of doubt. Ironically it came at the worst possible time with regards goings on on the pitch. We had just put a decent little run together. Granted it was papering over the cracks, but a run nonetheless. Today's result after the change in management was really quite predictable. Having said that i am a fan of Cook, and i think he will ultimately do well for us. Lincoln at the weekend is now a big game! As for the continued rumours regarding a takeover. This is more difficult than i think a lot believe. It's easy to hide behind the faults of Evans (of which there are many). But we don't want a volatile owner who could take us to the cleaners in an instant either. As with everything - needs to be the right person (group). If that means it isn't this current (rumoured) one, then so be it. Equally if they can prove themselves honest - happy days

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TimmyH added 17:59 - Mar 6 Cardiff and Mick McCarthy fit like a glove...just have to look at their most recent managers - W2arnock and Harris to see the style of play i.e. dead ball situations, lumping it forwards, goals from corners/headers all backed up by the statistics shown last night.
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Skip73 added 18:06 - Mar 6 We need the takeover ASAP, as we will never getvany better whilst Evans owns the club. But some of the blame for the spineless team we have has to go to HURST, the manager who is taking Grimsby out of the league.
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BartonBluee added 18:09 - Mar 6 TimmyH you can't knock MM at Cardiff at the moment no matter what you personally think about him. Played 11 won 7 drawn 4... whilst playing in the Championship, and whilst getting a tune out of Kieffer Moore, that many on here blasted for apparent “mismanagement”. I'd take MM football in the championship, than the current dross I watched today. It was abysmal.
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Linkboy13 added 18:14 - Mar 6 It's going to be a busy summer for Paul Cook sorting this rubbish out. Will probably have to sell Red mist Downes, laughing boy Wolfenden and enigma Dozzell before he can buy especially if the new ownership doesn't materialise. Five or six new players required with about ten going out. When managers succeed not enough credit is given to their coach and Cook will be hoping to persuade his old coach at Wigan to join him.

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ChrisFelix added 18:18 - Mar 6 Its clear to me that with the exception of Mcguiness the loan players are a waste of money. Matheson comes in bringing some mobility & pace & then cant even get a place on tje bench Today is a setback but not the end of the world. The sooner Cook settles on his best 11 the better
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ldnj added 18:27 - Mar 6 Psychologically they're on a hiding to nothing. Everyone knows you shouldn't employ a manager called Paul ! Struggling to think of one who's done really well ...
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Nobbysnuts added 18:29 - Mar 6 Although I despised everything about lambert and wanted him out..I'm a firm believer in the saying 'you can't polish a turd' and thats exactly what Paul cook has to do and I don't think this current squad is good enough. Start planning for next season.
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