Gillingham conceded the advantage against lowly visitors Harrogate and tasted defeat on home soil.

Tim Dieng broke the deadlock early in the second half after a forgettable first 45 minutes but Gillingham’s lead was wiped out with goals from Anthony O’Connor and Josh March.

It was Gillingham manager Mark Bonner’s 39th birthday but there was nothing for him to celebrate on the final whistle at Priestfield. His team were booed at the end of the match.

Fans at the end were chanting “what a load of rubbish”.

It’s now seven defeats from 16 league games for the Gills - four of those losses coming at home.

Gillingham returned to league action for the first time since beating leaders Port Vale a fortnight earlier.

There were two changes to the starting line-up from that day, with injured Armani Little replaced in the eleven by Ethan Coleman and a change upfront as striker Elliott Nevitt returned from injury to take Jacob Wakeling’s spot.

Harrogate were backed by just 78 fans - many of them struggling to make the match due to wintry weather up in Yorkshire. The supporters’ coach was unable to get out of the yard.

Gillingham’s returning striker Nevitt was in the thick of the action early on as the Gills started the match brightly.

The Gills felt they should have been awarded a penalty after 15 minutes when Marcus Wyllie went to ground after pressure from defender O’Connor but referee Matthew Russell waved play on - a decision that clearly annoyed Gills boss Bonner.

Harrogate rarely threatened in the opening half. James Daly had a shot blocked and put another long-range effort wide.

There were a few half chances for the Gills and some decent build-up but they weren’t able to make the visitors pay in an opening half that ended goalless.

The Gills were attacking the Rainham End after the break and five minutes after the restart they took the lead.

Harrogate had struggled to clear one Gills corner and conceded from another. Max Clark took the kick and Dieng beat his marker to the ball to send it into the back of the net.

Nevitt went close to a second shortly after with a low shot the hit the outside of the keeper’s near post.

Gillingham’s goal did serve as a wake-up call for Harrogate who were showing a lot more impetus a goal down.

Gills keeper Jake Turner had shown good reflexes to beat away Dean Cornelius’ effort but was beaten soon after.

Anthony O’Connor was quickest to react after Daly’s shot had come off the upright and with 59 minutes gone Harrogate were level again.

Bonner switched strikers by introducing Josh Andrews for Nevitt and sacrificed defensive-minded midfielders for attacking ones but the Gills soon found themselves 2-1 down.

A simple ball through the middle beat the Gills defence and found Josh March in space. The Harrogate forward had pressure from Shad Ogie but scored with a calm finish between the legs of Turner. With 20 minutes left Bonner’s team had it all to do.

It needed a good clearance from Ogie to stop March from causing any more damage after again being picked out in the box.

Andrews had a golden chance to level with the goal at his mercy from a right-sided cross but he fired well over the bar.

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