Town's play-off hopes were given a boost after they came from behind to beat Gillingham 3-1 at the Priestfield Stadium. Paul Smith put the home side in front before Tommy Miller, Pablo Couñago and Marcus Bent gave the Blues the win they deserved.

Jim Magilton took over as captain in Matt Holland's absence and was part of a five-man midfield alongside Jermaine Wright and Tommy Miller. Fabian Wilnis and Matt Richards were the wide men. Thomas Gaardsøe, Richard Naylor and Chris Makin were at the back with Darren Bent and Pablo Couñago the strikers. Martijn Reuser, an injury doubt, and Marcus Bent were on the bench.

The early stages was all Town and Darren Bent was unlucky not to get on the end of Matt Richards cross. The home side's first effort was from Paul Smith, the centre-half's shot easy for Marshall.

Not long after Couñago ought to have done better with a header which he sent over the bar from a fine Richards cross.

On 11 there were calls for a Town penalty after Miller appeared to be tripped when chasing a Magilton ball into the area. Referee David Crick was unimpressed.

Two minutes later Andy Marshall made his first serious contribution of the game. Gillingham got forward down the left and the keeper did well to deflect Tommy Johnson's effort from close range away. Not long after Martijn Reuser replaced the injured Thomas Gaardsøe, Town switching to 4-4-2 with Makin and Naylor at central defence.

On 20 Tommy Miller was fouled in prime Martijn Reuser territory. The Dutchman duly took the kick and curled it towards goal, Bartram touching it onto the bar. Earlier Reuser had tried his luck on the volley form 30 yards after Bartram and a defender failed to communicate and the keeper was momentarily stranded, just getting back to claim Reuser's shot.

In the 26th minute Paul Shaw had a shot blocked, the ball running to Johnson in a good position inside the area but his effort was deflected for a corner. From the corner the Gills would go ahead. Hope's header was well-saved by Marshall but Smith following up inside the six-yard box to net.

It was hardly deserved, although the home side had improved as the half had gone on. However, their lead lasted only four minutes, Martijn Reuser finding Tommy Miller on the left and the former Hartlepool player putting in a low cross which Couñago appeared to get a near post flick on, the ball nestling slowly in Bartram's net.

Four minutes later the Spaniard again came close, his shot going just by the post from a good position inside the area on the Town left. On 40 a deep Reuser cross-shot from a freekick only just went over the bar.

With three minutes remaining before the break Couñago again tested Bartram, his shot on the turn bringing a save from the keeper after a fine run forward by Makin.

Darren Bent came close to scoring early in the second half, his 49th minute shot from a tight angle just going past Bartram's post.

Ten minutes into the half Marshall did well to save a Shaw shot from 12 yards as Gillingham had more of the play than in the first half.

On 56 Tommy Miller picked up a yellow card for dissent after being penalised for what seemed a perfectly good challenge. Referee Crick, a touch over-keen with his whistle all afternoon, moved the freekick ten yards nearer goal but it was wasted by the home team.

Just after the hour Martijn Reuser hit a shot wide after good work from Tommy Miller and Pablo Couñago.

There was a big scare for Town on 66, the ball running to Shaw on the edge of the area, the former Arsenal man striking a goal-bound effort which hit Rod Wallace and deflected away.

Reuser again forced Bartram to pull off a save in the 67th minute, the keeper not holding onto the ball but Couñago unable to get in a rebound.

Midfielder Shaw hit another well struck shot a minute later, this time beating Andy Marshall, the ball cannoning off the top of the bar.

Pablo Couñago had given the home defence a lot of trouble, particularly in the second half, and in the 72nd minute he put the Blues ahead. Town took a freekick on the right quickly and Reuser played the ball into Couñago inside the area. The ex-Celta Vigo player turned and hit a low shot which beat Bartram at his near post.

Two minutes later Town fans, with a poor view of the game from most sections of their stand, thought their side had gone further ahead. Matt Richards crossed low and deep to Reuser who belted the ball off the underside of the bar and away to safety.

The third goal wasn't long in coming, Marcus Bent, on as sub for Darren Bent, hitting a firm 20-yard low shot into the corner of Bartram's net.

Town played out the final stages, passing the ball around despite the dreadful pitch covered in patches of sand, the ball bobbling about all over the place at times.

In the closing stages Westlake made another bright sub appearance on the left of midfield for Couñago, while Shaw once again hit a decent shot but wide of Marshall's post.

Just the result Town needed after a difficult start on a tricky surface. The Blues gradually took control and by the end were worthy winners. A six-pointer against Forest next week and a game Town very much need to win to keep their hopes of the play-offs alive.

Photo: Action Images

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