Curtis Weston scores from the penalty spot to give Gillingham victory over Oldham

by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham returned to winning ways in League 1 as Curtis Weston’s penalty separated the sides at Priestfield.

The win ended a four game winless run for the Gills in the league as Weston scored from the spot after 61 minutes.

Gills boss Mark Stimson was delighted with the way his side battled against the elements and a strong Oldham side.

He said: "With the weather it could have been a bit of a lottery but we played well, created some good chances and could have maybe nicked another goal.

"We had four players missing. We knew Oldham were good away from home and they weren’t shy to put their foot in and make it a physical battle. We had to stand up to that and I thought we did well.

"It was a hard fought game, and a physical challenge, and the wind takes a lot out of the players as well.

"It was a good penalty from Curtis. I thought the little man (Febian Brandy) would have taken it, but he had just got injured and probably wasn’t feeling as good so Curtis took responsibility and put it away nicely."

Weston was playing alongside striker Brandy and the latter’s pace up front was causing Oldham problems early on.

It was Weston, though, who came closest to giving Gillingham the lead late in the first half as the two combined.

Brandy laid the ball off to Weston and from outside the area he curled a shot in that bounced off the top of the bar.

Oldham had offered little threat going forward but in windy conditions it was a tense opening half.

The visitors had an effort from distance by Dean Furman, which keeper Simon Royce comfortably dealt with, and a shot from Chris Walker, which was smashed wide.

For the Gills, John Nutter shot wide and Chris Palmer struck a free-kick into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Just before half-time Oldham striker Nick Blackman sent a powerful shot dipping over the bar.

An early chance fell Oldham’s way after the break as Danny Whitaker’s free-kick was headed onto the roof of the net by Reuben Hazell. Moments later Walker shot just wide as Oldham looked to take advantage of having the wind behind them.

Gillingham went ahead just after the hour when Brandy muscled his way into the area, and a trip from Sean Gregan led to referee Mick Russell pointing to the spot.

Weston converted in the absence of regular penalty taker Simeon Jackson.

The Gills almost doubled their advantage two minutes later when Andy Barcham became the second player to see an effort come off the crossbar.

With just a slender lead the game remained tense and Furman’s scorcher was well held by Royce on 78 minutes.

Weston looked to have broken clear in the dying minutes but was tripped by Hazell, who got away with a yellow, leaving Gillingham to sweat it out for the final moments of the game.

Gillingham: Royce, Nutter, Palmer, Gowling, Fry, Lewis (Oli 83mins), Maher, Bentley, Barcham, Weston, Brandy. Subs not used: Pugh, Julian, Yussuff, Rooney, Payne, McCammon.

Oldham: Flahavan, Hills, Holdsworth, Hazell, Whitaker (Parker 72mins), Smalley (Brooke 83mins), Furman, Gregan, Taylor (Colbeck 90mins), Marrow, Blackman. Subs not used: Brill, Jacobson, Lee, Black.

Attendance: 4,787