Port Vale 2 Gillingham 1

Gillingham's hopes of survival suffered a blow with defeat to basement side Port Vale.

The win for already doomed Vale leaves the Gills hopes of avoiding relegation from League 1 hanging by a thread with seven games to go.

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Gillingham manager Mark Stimson said: "We are disappointed we’ve got beaten.

"I thought we had enough chances to definitely win the match if not two matches.

"That was pleasing because away from home since I've been in charge we haven’t done that but to come away with nothing is a hard one to take on board.

"I told the players they must get on with it and learn from it.

"We have to take that we created chances from the game but that’s about all."

Vale took the lead after 19 minutes when Gillingham failed to clear Paul Harsley’s corner kick and Marc Richards hooked home the loose ball.

Gillingham had their chances in the opening half but missed a golden chance to level, when Simeon Jackson’s penalty kick was saved by keeper Joe Anyon, after the striker had been fouled by Robin Hulbert.

Mark Bentley also had a great chance in the opening half after Anyon spilled Jackson’s shot into his path but the midfielder fired over.

The hosts doubled the lead eight minutes into the second half when Danny Whitaker drilled in a shot from the edge of the area.

Gillingham dominated the second half and pulled a goal back on 77 minutes, when Leroy Griffiths struck home Adam Miller’s cross, but Vale hung onto the lead to take the points.

Gills: Stillie, Clohessy, Nutter, Howard (Cumbers 75mins), Richards, King, Bentley, Stone (Griffiths 59mins), Oli, Jackson, Miller.
Subs not used: Fuller, Bygrave, Kiely.
Attendance: 3,157.