Match ends, Gillingham 3, MK Dons 2.
GillinghamGillingham3MK DonsMilton Keynes Dons2
Gillingham beat 10-man MK Dons to secure back-to-back victories for the first time since April.
Danny Kedwell scored two early penalties for the Gills, the first after Tom Flanagan brought down Cody MacDonald in the area.
The same men were involved again for Gillingham's second spot-kick, Flanagan this time seeing red for his challenge.
The Dons fought back with a well-taken Patrick Bamford double, but Danny Hollands headed in the winner.
VIEW FROM THE DRESSING ROOM
Gillingham manager Martin Allen told BBC Radio Kent:
"It was that strange situation, 2-0 up, 12 minutes gone, playing against 10 men. Everyone who's watched football knows the opposition with 10 men seem to play better. I don't know why.
"It was always going to be a difficult fixture even though it was against 10 men, 2-0 up.
"I asked the players at 2-2 what they're going to do. It was testing and tricky mentally. Are we going to make something to win it or are we going to sit back and keep it at 2-2?
"Every supporter in that ground, at half-time, was worried, scared. We moved up another gear and the players were immense."
MK Dons Manager Karl Robinson told BBC Three Counties Radio:
"I thought we deserved a point, but you don't always get what you deserve in football.
"Tom's (Flanagan) eagerness to win the ball back has cost him the first penalty and then he makes a mistake with a pass for the second and he tries to rectify his mistake with a rush of blood to the head, so he finds himself with an early shower. It's a learning curve for him but he's got to learn very, very quickly or find himself in a difficult position."
"This is going to be the hardest season that I've ever had and I'm looking forward to the week now. It's going to be a good week, we've got a difficult game away at Stevenage but it's important we roll our sleeves up and stand up for it."
"In the last 20 minutes we outplayed them, we passed it, we created chances and we looked fit so I want to take the positives out of today."
Line-ups
Gillingham
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Nelson
- 23Harriman
- 26Barrett
- 5Davies
- 3MartinBooked at 23mins
- 18LeeBooked at 89mins
- 12Gregory
- 19Hollands
- 7Whelpdale
- 10McDonaldSubstituted forWestonat 55'minutes
- 9Kedwell
Substitutes
- 21Howard
- 14Allen
- 11Weston
- 8Akinfenwa
- 4Linganzi
- 15Dack
- 6Legge
MK Dons
Formation 4-4-2
- 1Martin
- 4FlanaganBooked at 13mins
- 5HodsonSubstituted forMcLeodat 23'minutes
- 6WilliamsBooked at 90mins
- 3Lewington
- 8Potter
- 22CarruthersSubstituted forSmithat 15'minutes
- 23GreenBooked at 6mins
- 7Gleeson
- 10ChadwickSubstituted forPowellat 61'minutes
- 15Bamford
Substitutes
- 16McLoughlin
- 11Smith
- 12Reeves
- 2Otsemobor
- 21Banton
- 17Powell
- 13McLeod
- Referee:
- James Linington
- Attendance:
- 5,410
Match Stats
Home TeamGillinghamAway TeamMK Dons
- Possession
- Home39%
- Away61%
- Shots
- Home13
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away7
- Corners
- Home6
- Away4
- Fouls
- Home20
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Gillingham 3, MK Dons 2.
Post update
Foul by Darren Potter (MK Dons).
Post update
Charlie Lee (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Booking
Shaun Williams (MK Dons) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Foul by Shaun Williams (MK Dons).
Post update
Callum Davies (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Patrick Bamford (MK Dons).
Post update
Danny Hollands (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Hand ball by Izale McLeod (MK Dons).
Post update
Attempt saved. Shaun Williams (MK Dons) left footed shot from more than 35 yards is saved in the top left corner.
Booking
Charlie Lee (Gillingham) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Patrick Bamford (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Charlie Lee (Gillingham).
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Darren Potter (MK Dons) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Charlie Lee (Gillingham).
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Attempt missed. Danny Kedwell (Gillingham) header from the right side of the six yard box is high and wide to the left.
Post update
Corner, Gillingham. Conceded by Izale McLeod.
Post update
Attempt missed. Danny Green (MK Dons) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
Post update
Izale McLeod (MK Dons) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
