Match ends, Gillingham 2, Southend United 1.
GillinghamGillingham2SouthendSouthend United1
Two Josh Wright goals in the space of four first-half minutes secured Gillingham victory over 10-man Southend.
Wright fired home twice in quick succession before the Shrimpers were reduced to 10 men deep into first-half stoppage time, when Ryan Inniss was dismissed after being shown a second yellow card.
Southend rallied in the second half, with substitute Nile Ranger heading home, but Wright's double saw the Gills come out on top.
Wright's first goal of the afternoon came from the penalty spot after Southend defender Jason Demetriou brought down Cody McDonald.
Wright fired the penalty into the bottom-left hand corner of the net and then doubled his tally when he bundled the ball home from close range after excellent approach play from McDonald.
Play-off chasing Southend fought hard in the second half and netted a late consolation when Ranger nodded home Theo Robinson's right-wing cross.
Match report supplied by the Press Association.
Line-ups
Gillingham
Formation 3-4-1-2
- 1Nelson
- 2Jackson
- 5Ehmer
- 31Rehman
- 7Wagstaff
- 44Wright
- 16Osadebe
- 9DonnellySubstituted forParkerat 28'minutes
- 14Martin
- 10McDonald
- 17Quigley
Substitutes
- 8Hessenthaler
- 19Parker
- 21List
- 22Dickenson
- 29Muldoon
- 30Holy
- 36Mbo
Southend
Formation 4-4-2
- 22Smith
- 24Demetriou
- 5Thompson
- 33InnissBooked at 45mins
- 3CokerBooked at 90mins
- 17McGlashanSubstituted forWhiteat 45'minutes
- 18LeonardBooked at 88mins
- 4WordsworthSubstituted forRobinsonat 73'minutes
- 8TimlinBooked at 75mins
- 10Cox
- 14FortunéSubstituted forRangerat 46'minutes
Substitutes
- 2White
- 12Atkinson
- 16Amos
- 25Nouble
- 31Robinson
- 40Bexon
- 50Ranger
- Referee:
- Dean Whitestone
- Attendance:
- 6,542
Match Stats
Home TeamGillinghamAway TeamSouthend
- Possession
- Home48%
- Away52%
- Shots
- Home11
- Away10
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away6
- Corners
- Home5
- Away5
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away14
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Gillingham 2, Southend United 1.
Booking
Simon Cox (Southend United) is shown the yellow card.
Post update
Attempt saved. John White (Southend United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Ryan Leonard (Southend United).
Post update
Max Ehmer (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Ben Coker (Southend United).
Post update
Josh Parker (Gillingham) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Goal!
Goal! Gillingham 2, Southend United 1. Nile Ranger (Southend United) header from the left side of the six yard box to the high centre of the goal. Assisted by Theo Robinson with a cross.
Post update
Foul by Cody McDonald (Gillingham).
Post update
Michael Timlin (Southend United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt saved. Josh Parker (Gillingham) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt saved. Scott Wagstaff (Gillingham) right footed shot from a difficult angle on the right is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Attempt missed. Simon Cox (Southend United) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the left.
Post update
Attempt saved. Adam Thompson (Southend United) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal.
Post update
Foul by Lee Martin (Gillingham).
Post update
Jason Demetriou (Southend United) wins a free kick on the right wing.
Booking
Michael Timlin (Southend United) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Scott Wagstaff (Gillingham) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Michael Timlin (Southend United).
