Gillingham won on the road in Dartford on Tuesday Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Andrew Gidley

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler was pleased with Gillingham’s latest work-out as they recorded their first pre-season win in front of a crowd of nearly 800 at Princes Park on Tuesday night.

A third minute goal by Danny Spiller gave them an early lead and Chris Palmer’s spectacular strike nine minutes after the interval doubled the advantage, before Tom Bonner pulled one back two minutes from time.

Hessentahler said: “It was a good workout, we worked hard with the ball, and without it. These are never easy games, and I am not worried about results, just what we get out of it. We are still looking at a lot of triallists, but I was pleased with the exercise.”

The game ended on a sour note, however, when Gills’ new assistant manager Ian Hendon was removed from the dugout two minutes from time by referee Steve Bennett, after blasting the ball at home player Ryan Hayes, because he was still angry after an earlier challenge on youngster Jack Payne had gone unpunished.

Hendon had needlessly got involved in the incident, that angered the home bench, but the former Barnet boss apologised immediately after the game. Gills fans were happy enough though singing “2-1 and we won away” as they made their way home.

Spiller and Tony Sinclair both caught the eye, the only two trialists used in the first half, together with Ebbsfleet keeper Lance Cronin who played the full 90 minutes.

Curtis Weston’s right-wing cross set up Spiller’s opener, following up to score, after Dartford goalkeeper Andrew Young had blocked his first effort.

Weston and Barry Fuller went close to adding to the lead and Spiller saw another header saved.

Sinclair came to Gills' rescue by clearing off the line from Ollie Berquez, with Cronin beaten, and then conceded a corner to stop another opening.

Second half substitute Payne booted Joe Bruce’s goalbound header clear, eight minutes after the break, before Palmer made it 2-0 two minutes later. A strong run took him into the box, and lashed in a shot into the far corner, totally deceiving Young.

Former Ajax midfielder Stanley Aborah was given a run-out 17 minutes from time, and set-up fellow-sub Sam Gargan to shoot wide. Adam Burchell’s effort flew past Cronin’s right hand post, but the keeper was finally beaten just before the end, when Bonner got the final touch to Hayes’ free-kick.

Gillingham: Cronin, Fuller (Payne 46 mins), Nutter (Palmer 46mins), Sinclair, Gowling, Bentley (Maher 46mins, Essam 80 mins), Weston (Aborah 73), Spiller (Rooney 46 mins), Payne (Onidube 46mins, Gargan 72 mins), Oli (White 61mins), Barcham (Makofo (46mins). Sub not used: Julian.

Attendance: 770

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