Gillingham 3 Rotherham United 1: Millers slip back after a painful defeat at Gillingham

Millers’ Ryan Taylor drove a low shot from 20 yards wide of goalkeeper Alan Julian’s left-hand post in the fourth minute and within a minute the Gills had got themselves in front.

Curtis Weston flicked a pass into the path of Cody McDonald who outstripped the visitors’ defence before firing low under Andy Warrington for his 16th goal of the campaign.

However, the visitors took less than a minute to equalise, Garry Richards being penalised for a foul 25 yards from goal and Nicky Law curling a sublime free-kick around the wall and to the left of the motionless Julian.

A turning point arrived in the 29th minute when Kevin Maher chipped a ball over the top for Curtis Weston who touched the ball inside Nick Fenton before poking his foot out in an attempt to beat sliding goalkeeper Warrington to the ball.

He caught Warrington and the woozy 34-year-old was forced off with blood coming from a head wound.

His replacement, 22-year-old Jamie Annerson had not touched the ball in open play before he had to pick it out of the net on 36 minutes.

McDonald outmuscled Jonny Mullins on the left before turning the defender inside out and lashing past Annerson from a tight angle.

After the break the Gills spurned several chances, and Law was denied a second goal in the 75th minute when his left-foot volley was superbly turned round a post by Julian.

Adam Le Fondre somehow blazed over an open goal from six yards after Ryan Taylor’s shot was blocked by Julian.

The home side could not find a killer third until three minutes from time when substitute Dennis Oli fired home from close range after his initial shot was blocked by Annerson.

Gillingham: Julian, Fuller, Nutter, Weston (84), Richards (King 25), Maher, McDonald, Lawrence, Jackman (Bentley 90), Akinfenwa, Payne. Unused substitutes: Cronin, Rooney, S Payne, Miller.

Rotherham United: Warrington (Annerson 30), Tonge, Newey, Fenton, Mullins (Ashworth 71), Law, Taylor, Marshall (Randall 46), Le Fondre, Taylor, Moore. Unused substitutes: Green, Ashworth, Harrison, Ellison, Bradley.

Referee: D Sheldrake (Surrey)