Gillingham maintained top spot in League 2 with a comfortable win over Bristol Rovers at Priestfield on Saturday.

Two goals inside the opening 15 minutes from Danny Kedwell laid the platform for another Gills win on Saturday.

Charlie Lee added a third just before half-time and, despite an improved Rovers second half showing, the win was wrapped up by Chris Whelpdale’s goal with seven minutes left.

Home boss Martin Allen made just one change to his table-topping side, with new signing David Wright taking on the defensive midfield duties. Chris Whelpdale dropped to the bench.

Just like in the previous week at Barnet, the Gills made a great start to the game. Kedwell smashed home a fifth minute penalty – his third successful conversion of the season, having been tripped in the box moments earlier by Tom Parkes.

It took the hosts just 10 more minutes to double the advantage, as Kedwell flicked Lee’s long throw over the keeper with his head and Rovers defender, Adam Virgo, could do nothing more than help the ball on its way into the back of the net.

Rovers, starting the afternoon second from bottom in League 2, had little answer to the Gills. Their only effort in the first half came from Lee Brown and his powerful shot landed midway up the Rainham End.

Charlie Allen almost claimed the third, midway through the opening half, but he was unable to divert the ball home from close range, after Danny Kedwell had deflected Deon Burton’s free-kick into his path.

A third goal did arrive a minute before the break when Allen’s corner was met by Lee and his powerful diving header flew home.

Rovers’ Wayne Brown had a shot on target early in the second half, which Gills keeper Stuart Nelson had to beat away to safety. Joe Martin was on hand to hook clear when Oliver Norburn later threatened to burst through the defence.

At the other end Payne was denied a goal with a powerful shot that Virgo headed clear and the Rovers man glanced a corner wide for his team moments later.

Rovers had a far better second half and should have scored through substitute Fabian Broghammer but his weak effort was intercepted and cleared by Matt Fish.

A fourth goal was claimed by substitute Whelpdale – as he headed home Myles Weston’s inviting cross infront of a jubilant Rainham End.

Gillingham: Nelson. Fish, Davies, Barrett, Martin, Wright (Whelpdale 71mins), Payne, Lee, Allen, Kedwell (Strevens 58mins), Burton (Weston 46mins). Subs not used: Forecast, Flanagan, Frampton, Montrose.

Bristol Rovers: Walker, Smith, Paterson (Norburn 46mins), Parkes, Clarkson, Gill (Lund 66mins), Harrold (Broghammer 34mins), Richards, L Brown, Virgo, W Brown. Subs not used: Anyinsah, Gough, Clarke, Clucas.

Attendance: 4,768

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