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After defeating second-placed Brentford on Tuesday night, Byfield's 11th goal of the season from the penalty spot put paid to fourth-placed Swansea.
The windy conditions inside Priestfield meant the game was never going to be a classic. Indeed neither team fashioned many clear cut chances and both were largely restricted to long range efforts.
On 10 minutes Gillingham's Andrew Crofts found an unmarked Tommy Black inside the penalty area but Willy Gueret blocked his shot and Crofts fired the rebound straight at the Swansea keeper.
The visitors immediately counter attacked and Lee Trundle stung Jason Brown's palms with a fierce volley from 25 yards.
Trundle tested Brown again on the stroke of half time. Andy Robinson's sly pass found the 20-goal striker inside the area, but the Gillingham goalkeeper got down well to his right to stop the low shot.
The goal the game needed came after 54 minutes from the penalty spot. Winger Matthew Jarvis broke clear down the left but his run was brought to an abrupt halt by Keith Lowe's mis-timed challenge just inside the area.
Having stroked his penalty in against Brentford in midweek, Byfield elected for power and blasted the ball in off the cross bar.
Taking the lead galvanised the home side and they looked more likely to grab the next goal. It nearly came courtesy of Swansea's Adrian Forbes whose defensive header from Black's free-kick bounced just a yard wide of his own goal.
Forbes nearly put the ball in the right net with seven minutes remaining but Brent Sancho blocked his powerful low shot. That was as good as it got for Swansea in the second half, who could not find a way past the resolute Gillingham defence.