Gillingham 2 Chester City 0

Last updated : 25 October 2008 By Footymad Previewer
A stirring second-half performance saw Gillingham sweep hard-working Chester City aside in a match which eventually went with form.

Goals from on-loan Tottenham pair Andy Barcham and Leigh Mills in two second-half minutes decided the match and extended Chester's winless run to eight matches.

Gillingham handed out 2,000 free football rattles before kick-off in an anti-racism drive, but there was little else to get nostalgic about in a scrappy first half.

Despite their recent form, Chester were the better side for much of the first half.

In particular, Kevin Ellison enjoyed success on the left against Garry Richards, playing as a makeshift full-back.

Gills missed injured top-scorer Simeon Jackson, but Mark McCammon should have put them ahead on 38 minutes.

Racing on to a clever through ball from Adam Miller, the former Doncaster Rovers striker held off Kevin Roberts but shot straight at John Danby who parried.

Three minutes later, Chester carved out their only clear chance. Anthony Barry's cross dropped invitingly for Ellison, whose brilliant hooked volley skimmed the crossbar from 12 yards.

It was a miss which would prove crucial as after the break Gills looked more assured.

Barcham was switched from wide left to centre-forward and was instrumental as the home side began to dominate.

On 72 minutes they edged ahead after a goalmouth scramble. Albert Jarrett, on as a substitute, hung up a good cross to the back post and, with Danby stranded, Barcham had the final touch for his first goal for Gillingham.

Mills made it 2-0 when he headed home a John Nutter corner with the next attack.

Jarrett should have made the scoreline more emphatic late on as he raced through unopposed but Danby saved superbly.