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

Pezzer added 18:31 - Mar 6 Early days, we know there needs to be change so no surprise the wheels came off. Can't believe people still mention Mick McCarthy and his anti football. Cardiff looked poor against Huddersfield yesterday and should have lost. Mick even has Kiefer Moore back 😂
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RobITFC added 18:35 - Mar 6 Becarefulwhatyouwishfor.... I think PC knew were were very fortunate to be on levels terms so bought on some fresh legs, but the subs let themselves down along with the other 11.
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Wishing4arightback added 18:45 - Mar 6 Sorry but our midfield were woeful. Dozzel needs to learn how to tackle rather than constantly pulling at shirts or fouling. He gave away our first goal with yet another stupid foul in a dangerous area and was lucky to to have conceded a penalty after giving the ball away again. Will be interesting to see Cooks reaction.
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bluedispare added 18:47 - Mar 6 Watching the players in training I was very disappointed with a lot of half hearted training exercises being carried out. Whatever level you play at you give it a 100% on and off the pitch. A few home truths need to be told Mr Cook.
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therein61 added 18:49 - Mar 6 The X1 today should hold their over paid heads in shame that performance was totally unacceptable in front of a new manager when they should have been trying to impress him, oh well P.C will have seen enough today to know who he can trust or not, Commiserations to Alan Judge for the loss of his mum.
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dirtydingusmagee added 18:54 - Mar 6 trouble is a lot of people have [and some still] thought the players we have are good ,just needed a better manager. Ive said all along from being relegated these players are just average [even that flatters several of them . I wanted Lambert out because he was not getting anywhere with them, and he was seeing good things that just were not there . Paul Cook must have thought wtf have i done as he left the pitch today.The players totally let everyone down today, and it will be the same old whining statement from one of them to follow. Do they still believe fans fall for that ?

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midastouch added 19:15 - Mar 6 @dirtydingmagee, I think you are right. There's been a lot of posts made on here and the forum this season suggesting we have the best squad in the league and we just need a better manager to get more out of them. I've always doubted that to be the case. Certainly we needed a better manager (and hopefully we have one now) but we also need some better players to give Cook a fair chance. For starters, the squad is way too big. It's stuffed with too many mediocre players that are barely good enough for this league, let alone the league above. I heard on here several times that when Sears dropped down to League One he would rip it up. Well as we've seen that proved a million miles wide of the mark. I hope Evans (should the takeover not happen) give licence to Cook to do what's needed. Big changes needed ahead of next season. If we did somehow huff and puff our way into the Play Offs and manage to win them (not confident myself but it's still mathematically within reason) I do worry how this squad would cope in the Championship without a significant overhaul.

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midastouch added 19:38 - Mar 6 The trick is going to be working which players to cut our losses on (some are a lot more obvious than others) and which ones to keep the faith with. That's not an easy job and I don't envy Cook having to make those tough decisions (although ultimately that what he's being paid for). Get it right and he'll be called a messiah. Get it wrong though and it will sadly be another false managerial dawn in ITFC's modern (and glum!) history.

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mib added 19:44 - Mar 6 Lambert in ??
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planetblue_2011 added 19:55 - Mar 6 The players were awful today, come on first game for your new manager & they play like that. Holy didn't even dive for any of the 3 goals, he was routed to the spot. Few players have got to be shipped out & Paul Cook can bring in a few of his own players for his own ideas. Anyway just the first game under Cooky 15 to go, hope we make at least a playoff place.
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DerryfromBury added 19:56 - Mar 6 Someone forgot to tell the guys just before kick off, that we're the ones playing in the light blue not our normal shade of blue. 99% of passes from a ITFC player was to a Gills player. Whilst it pains me to say it, the best team by far won. We didn't deserve anything from the game. If all the players were put up for sale, lets be honest the proceeds wouldn't stretch to signing 1 good league one player. And that my dear friends is the size of the task that PC has just taken on.

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TimmyH added 19:57 - Mar 6 BartonBluee - 'whilst getting a tune out of Keifer Moore'!?! under Mick when he was here he was a substitute a number of times and then put out on loan to Rotherham who then started banging em' in! so no tune under Mick whilst here, but he has started well at Cardiff not denying that but what I saw of them last night didn't look anything fantastic.
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coldwarkid01 added 20:05 - Mar 6 I think, what this proves to Mr Cook et al is that the Lambert system he kept with doesn't work..! Better he discover it now and make adjustments than follow the false dawn 3 wins presented. Many of these “experienced” players are awful make weights and rather than offer experience to the home grown talent, actually corrupt them into lazy, pi55 poor performance. Massive clear out required now......!

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Carberry added 20:08 - Mar 6 Let's not forget these are Lambert's players Cook is saddled with. Remember those ridiculous quotes about we just need a 'little bit of help'. Such utter BS. A man floundering in his own inadequacies.
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Help added 20:17 - Mar 6 Well that did not go to plan did it. So why oh why did the players revert back to the sort of poor football that we were playing just prior to the 3 wins. Essentially the same team, same formation. Also proves that we have no quality in subs. Once again subs come on and bring nothing. No strength in depth. Poor overall team performance. Bet PC wonders what he is going to with this lot on tuesday.

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brendenward35 added 21:19 - Mar 6 I know this might sound a bit silly but one thong crossed my mind today didn't there strip look identical to our home strip? a few time I thought out players pass to what they thought was an Ipswich player then realising they were a Gillingham player in blue. Just a thought I had a look a few time myself.
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dirtydingusmagee added 21:39 - Mar 6 those that said the players werent playing for Lambert were wrong, they just arent up to it ,regardless as to who is managing. Lambert couldnt get anything out of them ,and i fear Cook will struggle too.Hope im wrong.It will be interesting to see how he deals with this.I hope he isnt going to be tucking them up in their beds at night, he needs to give the players a reality check. Doubt if Lincoln will be losing any sleep between now and Tuesday

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stiffy501 added 21:46 - Mar 6 Normal level of performance resumed, hopefully Paul Cook can spot eleven in this squad that might perform consistently, i'm not to confident of that. Its a big task to get this lot up this year, think a big clear out is on the cards, smaller squad next season but more quality.
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aas1010 added 22:41 - Mar 6 That don't matter , the players need to adjust to the new managers tactics and game play , perhaps some struggled and most likely it he new ways are sorting the men from the boys . It be fine everybody . Some will adjust and done won't , and perhaps the donts will move on for stronger players . Time will tell ! COYB
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aas1010 added 22:43 - Mar 6 Sorry for the predictive txting 🙁
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OliveR16 added 22:45 - Mar 6 A great start (not) for the latest muppet managing our once-proud club.
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bobble added 05:21 - Mar 7 not very good we are.
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bernie added 08:07 - Mar 7 Massive disappointment lads !! You're let the fans down today . Come on, you better be up for Tuesday . Just can't believe what a s–t display that was for f-cksa-e come on !!!
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budgieplucker added 09:04 - Mar 7 You know, it's not that we don't have talented players in our squad for this league and Lambert must have been worn down by frustration in not being able to get a tune out of them but we all know he didn't help himself. Edwards and Nolan typify for me our plight, both very good players at this level in my mind and possibly capable of good performances in the championship if we were to get promoted ( as we have seen) BUT they are what I call 30% er's, they only turn up with a good game 30% of the time the other 60%+ games they are either very poor or injured and not robust and consistent enough. Contrast that with a Jay Tab that another poster recently mentioned, Jay very rarely had a bad game and was quietly effective and consistent but never provided a match to winning performance but equally was robust in terms of not picking up injuries. The very difficult trick to pull off is to find at least 5 or 6 players of the Jay tab ilk who will regularly play and be the backbone of the team and will never let them oh down then have your more talented players fighting it out for the other positions. Young players do tend to be inconsistent and that's why believing we can win things with a team of talented youngsters is flawed. I am a great advocate of our youth policy and to a certain extent of some squad rotation with the younger players to ease and aid gradual development but at the same time having a consistent number of positions selected themselves week in week out. As an example of the rotation I would rather see Jack Lankester and Armando Dobra share the role that Keenan Bennetts has recently played who quite frankly flatters to deceive.

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dirtydingusmagee added 09:17 - Mar 7 the picture of PC at the head of the thread would be a great caption photo '' omg what have i done''
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