Gillingham threatened a second-half fight-back against Notts County but were beaten at Priestfield.

Managerless Gills were a goal down at the break and although Scott Malone’s super effort levelled it up shortly after the restart, as the home side upped their game, a thumping Lewis Macari strike restored County’s lead.

It’s now one win in six league games for the Gills who are now ninth in League 2.

There were four changes to the Gillingham team which was beaten heavily at Walsall on their previous outing. Max Ehmer was back alongside Conor Masterson in defence following Shad Ogie’s suspension.

Keith Millen remained in temporary charge ahead of meetings next week where chairman Brad Galinson was due to fly in to speak with candidates for the job.

County, as expected, bossed the possession and had around 75% of the ball in the opening half. They found plenty of space to work in and as the Gills sat deeper and deeper a goal eventually came in the 38th minute.

Several dangerous crosses from left-sided Jodi Jones led to anxious moments in the Gills box but it was a right-sided ball in that unlocked the door.

A break forward from the Gills came to nothing, allowing County to once again build with patience. Tobi Adebayo-Rowling was found in space on the right and Langstaff was quickest to react in the box, poking the ball home from close range.

The Gills had gone close themselves early in the half, Macaulay Bonne shooting narrowly wide as he met Jonny Williams’ cross at the near post, but too often the build-up from the home side lacked confidence and urgency.

Gillingham were behind at the break and booed off by sections of the home crowd.

Perhaps many were fearing the worst. This team had struggled to come from behind in games previously.

Millen stuck with his starting XI for the second half and his faith was rewarded as the Gills got straight back into the game.

Bonne was nearly on the end of a Williams cross and there were blocked shots from Malone and Clarke before County conceded in the 52nd minute.

Connor Mahoney’s perseverance had kept the pressure on and Malone danced his way past a couple of defenders from inside the box, twisting and turning his way into a bit of space, before unleashing a shot into the bottom corner.

The Gills were looking more confident, and Clarke’s pace almost led to another, but dangerous County wide-man Jones twice forced goalkeeper Turner into making saves.

It was end to end stuff and Bonne was again a fraction away from converting a Jonny Williams cross, nearly converting off his chest.

County went back infront with 12 minutes left. McGoldrick had seen his shot deflected and from the subsequent corner the ball fell to substitute Macari 20 yards out and his rising effort had too much power on it for Turner to keep out. A fine effort from a player making his Football League debut.

McGoldrick had another shot saved late on and only a last-gasp challenge from goal-scorer Macari stopped the Gills getting in on goal during a tense finish.

Turner had a busy afternoon and saved another McGoldrick shot as he found space in the box to prod a shot at goal.

In stoppage-time Clarke got in on goal, only to be denied by keeper Sam Slocombe, the best chance the Gills had in the six added-on minutes.

Gillingham: Turner, Clark, Malone (Orji 78mins), Ehmer, Masterson, Coleman, Jefferies, Mahoney (Nichols 78mins), J Williams (Lapslie 64mins), Clarke, Bonne. Subs not used: Morris, S Williams, Gale, Macarthur.

Notts County: Slocombe, Cameron, Baldwin, Brindley (Macari 16mins), Adebayo-Rowling (Crowley 60mins), Nemane, O’Brien, Palmer, Jones (Austin 72mins), McGoldrick, Langstaff (Morias 72mins). Subs not used: Stone, Rawlinson, Tipton.

Referee: Alan Young

Attendance: 6,983 (820 away)