by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham came from behind to beat Barnet at Priestfield in League 2 on Tuesday night.

Three second half goals sealed maximum points for the Gills to make it four wins on the spin for Andy Hessenthaler’s side.

The Gills went into the break trailing but levelled almost straight from the kick-off with a goal from half-time substitute Dennis Oli.

Loan winger Jordan Obita (pictured) put Gillingham in front with 14 minutes left and Charlie Lee made the points safe with a goal late on.

The win was marred by an early injury to Garry Richards. The central defender was stretchered off with a broken ankle.

Gillingham started the match with plenty of attacking intent and 17-year-old Ashley Miller – making his first senior start – was a real livewire.

Chances fell to the Gills at regular intervals but visiting keeper Liam O’Brien pulled off a great reflex save to keep out the best of those opportunities, as Chris Whelpdale glanced a header goal-bound.

The Gills had made four enforced changes for the match due to injuries and, 15 minutes in, they also lost Richards to a serious injury. He went to the ground following a challenge from Izale McLeod.

Richards’ exit saw Callum Davies enter the field to partner Connor Essam in defence. The two 19-year-olds helped take the average age of the Gills eleven to just 22.

Miller had appeals for a penalty turned away by referee Carl Berry after going down following close attention from Jordan Mustoe.

Barnet had barely threatened in the first half but the Gills went behind in the 39th minute. The home defence failed to clear their lines from a corner and when Sam Deering drilled the ball back into the area it was turned home by Clovis Kamdjo.

Barnet maintained their slender advantage until the half-time break.

Gillingham’s injury problems continued with Danny Kedwell being withdrawn at the break and replaced by Oli.

The transfer-listed Gills forward was only recalled to the squad because of an injury but, with just one second-half minute gone, he raced onto the ball and smashed home an equaliser.

Gillingham were level but Barnet weren’t out of the game and Mark Byrne smashed an effort narrowly over. On the hour it needed a timely interception to deny Scott McGleish a clear sight on goal after uncertainty at the back let in the visiting striker.

The Gills took a 76th-minute lead when Danny Jackman opened up the Barnet defence with a ball to Oli. The subsequent cross fell to Miller and, when his shot was saved, Obita was on hand to score from close range.

Victory was secured three minutes from time when Oli found space in the area, the ball fell to Jackman and he picked out a grateful Charlie Lee, who fired home in front of the Rainham End.

Gillingham: Gazzaniga, C Lee, Richards (Davies 17mins), Essam, Jackman, Montrose, Obita, Whelpdale, O Lee (Spiller 65mins), Miller, Kedwell (Oli 46mins). Subs: Brown, Hawkes.

Barnet: O’Brien, Hajrovic, Hector, Kamdjo, Mustoe, Byrne, Deering (Yiadom 83mins), Hughes, Holmes, McLeod (Taylor 45mins), McGleish. Subs: Brill, N’Diaye, Parkes.

Attendance: 3,751