Gillingham 2 – 1 Blackpool

SECOND half goals from Chris Hope and Neil Harris cancelled out Blackpool’s first half opener and earned Gillingham all three points at Priestfield on Saturday.

The home side made most of the early running but fell behind in the 22nd minute when Kiegan Parker drilled home after Jon Murphy had laid the ball off.

But the home side responded well and began to put pressure on the Blackpool defence in the closing stages of the first half and Mike Flynn was unlucky to see his fine effort cannon back off the crossbar.

Gills’ improvement was rewarded four minutes after the break when Hope headed in an equaliser.

The decision to move Matt Jarvis up front at half-time paid dividends immediately when he did well to win a corner and from Andy Hessenthaler’s swinging cross Hope rose to power home.

And Gills deservedly went in front 19 minutes into the second half when Harris was in the right place to hook the ball into the Rainham End net after Paul Smith had headed a half clearance back into the danger zone.

Blackpool’s Parker was sent off with 13 minutes to play after appearing to punch full-back Tom Williams in the face.

Gillingham: Bullock, Wallis, Cox, Hope, Williams, Hessenthaler, Smith, Flynn, Crofts, Jarvis, Harris.
Subs Not Used: Crichton, Rose, Saunders, Corneille, Collin.
Attendance: 6,300.