Action and Reaction as the Gillingham Promotion Push Receives Massive Boost

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Gillingham received a massive boost in their hopes of promotion glory from League Two with a vital 1-0 away win at Notts County.

The result means Gillingham move up to second in the table, three points clear in the automatic promotion places.

It was a first half of few chances for the Gills, as the visitors made only two notable chances throughout the opening 45 minutes.

Their most notable opportunity came on the 37th minute, when John Nutter whipped in a low cross, but from just three yards out, Simeon Jackson smashed a shot over the bar.

Their only other real chance of the half came after just four minutes, when Mark McCammon dragged a shot wide, after Nutter again created the opening.

Notts County’s best moments came from former Gills striker, Delroy Facey. He scored a decent equaliser in the 2-2 draw the last time these sides met, and he came close on Tuesday night.

One shot bounced just wide of the post after taking a ricochet off McCammon.

In the second half, after being guilty of missing a couple of great chances, Simeon Jackson made amends on 58 minutes, by scoring his 16th league goal of the season.

The dimunitive, Canadian, international striker struck the ball low past Notts County keeper Kevin Pilkington, giving the away side a perhaps somewhat undeserved advantage.

The hosts rallied late on in desperate pursuit of that equalising goal, but it was not to be, as the ever-reliable Gill's keeper Simon Royce stayed alert and kept out everything County threw at him.

In the end, it was a decent win for the mighty Gills, and one that will now put them in good stead for their promotion push, as well as give them a big confidence boost heading into a gruelling six hour away trip up north to play relegation favorites, Grimsby Town, on Saturday.

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After the match, Gillingham manager Mark Stimson was pleased to see his side up to second in the league table.

"For the players it should be a great feeling. It's a lot better for them to be where they are now than where they were last year," he said.

"All we can do is win as many matches as possible. It will give players a lift because the hard work really comes into play now."

However, the Gills boss wasn't going to get carried away with the result, and said his players must continue if they are to stay in their current position come the end of the season.

"Tables mean nothing at the moment. It's just about the boys getting another result," Stimson added.

"We had to dig in against a Notts County team who some people said, before the game, weren't playing for anything, well the way they played and fought for their manager was a credit and we had to stand up and be counted."

"We did that and when we had to show that little bit of quality, it was a fantastic finish from Jackson.

"We've just got to get as many points as we can and be in the race with three or four games to go."

quotes: www.kentonline.co.uk