Gillingham players celebrate Joe Martin's first half goal in the 1-0 win at Plymouth Argyle. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

by Luke Cawdell

Joe Martin scored a stunning goal to hand Gillingham the points from their trip to Plymouth.

But the Gills had to play for an hour with just 10 men after Martin was sent off for a second bookable offence.

The win made it three in a row for the Gills in League 2 - the first time they have achieved that this season.

Gillingham had numerous chances at the beginning of the first half but their opener came from nothing, as Martin lashed a shot in from 35 yards.

Early chances had seen Jo Kuffour stab a good chance over the bar, while Charlie Lee's header was saved on the line and goalkeeper Jake Cole was sent sprawling, to save from Gavin Tomlin.

Martin's stunner - his second goal for the club - separated the sides on 22 minutes but just nine minutes later he was heading for an early shower after picking up his second caution of the match. Both were for fouls, with his first booking coming after 13 minutes.

Martin had twice previously this season seen red for picking up two cautions in a match.

It was the start of a difficult period for the Gills and it needed a great save from Argentine keeper Paulo Gazzaniga to deny Nick Chadwick.

The Gills were already missing a handful of players from the midweek win over Hereford, with injuries and illness afflicting five of the players who started the match at Priestfield on Tuesday.

Jack Payne, Danny Kedwell, Curtis Weston, Connor Essam and Jack Evans all missed out in the game against Plymouth.

Problems worsened for Andy Hessenthaler as, within the space of four minutes, he saw both Simon King and Tomlin limp off injured. There was also a worry deep in first half stoppage time as Gazzaniga took a heavy whack from Plymouth's Paul Bignot.

Off the bench came Callum Davies, for only his third Gillingham appearance, and new loan recruit Jordan Obita. The Gills hung on until half-time with the lead intact.

Gills were under pressure at the start of the second half but came close to adding a second, as Jo Kuffour bent in an effort from outside the box. The shot bounced to safety after hitting the inside of the post.

At the other end Robbie Williams low shot flashed across the goal and went narrowly wide. Williams again came close after the hour mark, with a free-kick, which Gazzaniga had to volley clear after he was unable to hold the initial save.

Darren Purse and Luke Young both had shots but neither could find the target as the hosts kept the pressure on Gills' goal.

With 20 minutes left Plymouth forward Alex MacDonald struck the post from 25 yards out, with an effort that would have matched Martin's earlier strike.

Charlie Lee pulled off a great tackle with five minutes left to deny Simon Walton a goalscoring opportunity.

A rare chance at the other end saw Gillingham's new signing Obita denied by a good save from Jake Cole.

Gillingham: Gazzaniga, C Lee, Martin, King (Davies 41mins), Richards, Whelpdale, Jackman, Montrose, Kuffour (Miller 73mins), Tomlin (Obita 45mins), O Lee. Subs: Spiller, Hawkes.

Plymouth: Cole, Williams, Bignot (Berry 46mins), Purse, Blanchard, Wotton (Walton 73mins), Hourihane, Hemmings (Tsoumou 62mins), Young, MacDonald, Chadwick. Subs: Larrieu, Daley.

Attendance: 6,382

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