Gillingham 1 Plymouth 0

ON THE day he signed a new contract to keep him at Priestfield until 2009, Andrew Crofts grabbed the headlines with the winning goal to give his side the points and improve their chances of beating the drop.

But that should not disguise the fact that Gillingham were fortunate victors. It is 14 years since Plymouth won at Priestfield, but the way they started they must have fancied breaking that hoodoo.

Bjarni Gudjonsson tried to catch Steve Banks out in the fourth minute as he was lining up his wall for a free kick just outside the box but his right-footed curling effort sailed wide.

But on 10 minutes, Scott Taylor almost opened the scoring when Micky Evans cushioned a Paul Connolly cross into the former Blackpool man's path but Banks, another former Seasider, was off his line quickly to save at his feet.

The first half lacked real quality as the game was squeezed into the central channel with Gills pumping long balls forward and Darren Byfield being caught offside time and time again.

The home side's first real chance came when Alan Pouton knocked the ball into Darius Henderson unmarked on the edge of the box.

He looked to have controlled the ball with his hand but the referee waved play on and Henderson failed to take advantage as his scuffed shot bobbled harmlessly wide.

Stan Ternent will have warmed the ears of a few of his players at half-time as he urged them to up the tempo after the break.

But early promise after the break petered out as Plymouth started to spread the play and get the ball behind the full backs in wide areas.

The dangerous David Friio set up a great chance for Taylor 10 minutes into the half as he whipped over a great low cross but Banks got his angles right and saved comfortably.

But just after the hour, and somewhat against the run of play, Crofts marked a special day with the crucial goal.

Darren Byfield took the ball from what looked to be a uncontested drop ball and Gills finally got the ball out to Southall on the right. He found Crofts unmarked six yards out and he had the easy task of heading the ball into the corner.

The goal gave Gills the boost they needed and had the opposite effect on the visitors.

Mathias Kouo-Doumbe got a yellow card when he fouled Henderson as he tried to go clear on goal.

Henderson should have doubled Gills' lead on 68 minutes as he out-muscled Graham Coughlan but put the ball wide with Larrieu in no man's land at the edge of his area.

As Plymouth searched for the equaliser, the Pilgrims felt they had a good penalty claim when sub Tony Capaldi was upended in full flight. Although he landed in the, box contact was clearly made outside the area and Mr Singh gave a free kick, which was wasted.

Gills could and maybe should have put the game beyond doubt towards the end. With sub John Hills causing havoc in the Plymouth box, the ball found its way to Matt Bodkin but his first time shot fizzed just wide.

Banks was called into action again in the dying minutes when Paul Connolly flicked the ball over Ian Cox but fired straight at Banks who gathered at the second attempt.

And that was to be Connolly's last meaningful act as he was sent off in stoppage time after he took a wild swing at Hills and received a straight red card.

Gillingham: Banks, Southall, Hope, Cox, Rose, Hessenthaler (Bodkin 72), Smith, Pouton, Crofts, Byfield, Henderson (Hills 81). Subs Not Used: Bossu, Beckwith, L. Johnson.

Attendance: 8,451.