By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham finished their League 2 season opener with only 10 men but most importantly claimed all three points on Saturday.

Just a single goal was enough for the Gills against Cheltenham as Lewis Montrose (pictured) scored midway through the first half at Priestfield.

The midfielder, making his debut for the Gills, latched onto a loose ball after Jack Payne’s initial shot was blocked and stroked the ball home from 15 yards into the bottom corner.

Substitute Luke Rooney was sent off for a foul late in the game to make for a tense finale.

Montrose’s goal, with 26 minutes gone, came moments after Chris Whelpdale had curled an effort just over the bar. Chances up until then had been few and far between.

Gillingham were thankful, however, to some poor finishing from Cheltenham's Kaid Mohamed, who spurned two efforts in as many minutes.

The first chance saw Mohamed take full advantage as referee Lee Collins allowed play to continue despite Matt Lawrence lying flat out injured. The winger burst into the area but Ross Flitney slid out and held the ball. He then lashed a good effort over seconds later after running in on goal.

Montrose put another chance just wide before the break, turning Kedwell’s cross the wrong side of the post from close range while under pressure.

Like the first half, the Gills took a while in the second half to register a shot on goal. Charlie Lee sent a dipping effort over, with an hour gone, after Kedwell had worked hard to win his side possession.

Rooney was introduced with half an hour left to give Gillingham a different dimension down the left. Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler had few options at his disposal to change the dynamics upfront.

The single goal advantage made life tense for the Gills and a throw from Lee nearly helped them to a second. Andy Frampton met the ball unopposed in the box but was unable to get enough power on the header to test keeper Scott Brown sufficiently.

Kedwell missed a great chance on 79 minutes when unmarked he sent a powerful header from Rooney’s corner wide.

The Gills were forced to play the final 10 minutes with 10 men after Rooney was sent off for a heavy challenge on Brian Smikle.

Cheltenham responded by pouring forward but at the other end a vicious Weston shot was saved by Brown and in injury time he had another effort turned wide. The second goal in the end wasn’t needed and the Gills opened their campaign with a win.

Gills: Flitney, Fuller, Martin, Lawrence, Frampton, Montrose (Weston 73mins), Spiller (Rooney 60mins), Lee, J Payne, Whelpdale, Kedwell. Subs not used: Richards, Jackman, Gazzaniga.

Cheltenham: Brown, Lowe, Elliott, Bennett, Andrew, Summerfield (Duffy 79mins), Pack, Mohamed, Low (Smikle 79mins), Spencer (Penn 67mins), Goulding. Subs not used: Bird, Jombati.

Attendance: 5,360.

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