Rotherham United 1-4 Gillingham: Gills hit full throttle in come-from-behind win at New York Stadium

Gareth Ainsworth’s side headed north to the New York Stadium looking to build on their goalless draw with Newport County at Priestfield as they looked to build some form following their 3-0 away defeat at York on Matchday 8.

And, after gifting an opening goal to Paul Mullin on 17 minutes, Gillingham managed to compose themselves, settle into the game and eventually take over to claim a resounding awayday victory.

Mullin’s strike was a self-inflicted wound by the Gills defence. Omar Beckles attempted to clear when the easier option was to head the ball back to Ollie Wright. His miscued clearance created the chance for Kian Spence to cross for Mullin, who won his wrestling match with Andy Smith inside the box to fire past Wright and put the hosts into an early lead.

The goal was particularly frustrating, as the Gills had probably edged the opening quarter of an hour before Beckles’ error. Wright then had to be on top form to deny Spence as he raced through looking to double the hosts’ lead.

After that save, Gillingham started to make inroads at the other end of the pitch, and they made the breakthrough against the run of play on 34 minutes. A deep cross from Nick Freeman could only be flicked on by a Rotherham defender, and Ronan Hale was on hand to lash a brilliant volley into the bottom corner of the net to send the Gills into the dressing rooms at halftime with the scores level.

Gillingham came out for the second half and played much more on the front foot, as they put the pressure on the home side. That pressure eventually led to a second goal, when Hale led a breakaway, and found Freeman in space on the right flank.

The tireless wing-back cut inside and delivered a deep left-footed cross that was half-cleared to James Brophy. He smartly found Lamin Sillah in the box, and the Gambian hitman took a touch, turned on a sixpence and fired low into the net to put the Gills ahead on the hour mark.

Sillah’s influence led to a third just seven minutes later when he latched onto a great through-ball by Logan Dobbs and was brought down in the penalty area by Millers goalkeeper Julian Eyestone. Hale took the responsibility and slammed the spot-kick into the top corner, sending the keeper the wrong way in the process.

There was still time for a fourth, and it came from the penalty spot again when Sonny Aljofree was penalised for holding back substitute Tom Eaves in the box. Eaves took the spot kick and, with Eyestone diving early, cheekily rolled the ball into the middle of the net to put the finishing touches on a 4-1 victory with a goal against another of his former clubs.