Alex MacDonald came off the bench to score a much-needed winning goal for lowly Gillingham on Saturday.

Struggling Gills had more goals disallowed in the opening half at Priestfield than they had scored in their first 10 league games, as the officials denied Scott Kashket, Ryan Law and Mika Mandron. But their second half pressure finally paid off when MacDonald headed in on 91 minutes.

• More: "We were due that moment of fortune"

Manager Neil Harris went for pace against a physical Sutton side, naming both wingers Hakeeb Adelakun and Jordan Green from the start. With no wins in eight and just two goals scored so far in League 2, it was at least a positive line-up.

Sutton hadn’t won on the road ahead of their trip to Priestfield and the opening half wasn’t for the purest. This was the first ever league meeting between the teams.

The Gills had chances from set-pieces that they were unable to make anything of. With Ben Reeves out injured it was left to Shaun Williams to take care of dead-balls. But it was from open play where the hosts were denied three times by the officials.

There were few complaints when Scott Kashket’s effort was ruled out for offside early on but the next two were certainly closer.

Ryan Law smashed the ball home from the edge of the box but the referee had already blown for a foul after Mandron’s acrobatic attempt to convert Green’s cross was deemed dangerous, as a Sutton defender was caught.

Kashket was deemed offside again - the most controversial of the decisions - as he ran onto a free-kick played down the flank. He crossed for Mandron but as the striker netted the linesman had already flagged, to the frustration of a goal-starved Gillingham crowd.

Sutton didn’t offer a great deal going forward, often overhitting their long balls forward. One cross that Glenn Morris got a hand to fell kindly in the box and allowed Gills to clear. The keeper also got lucky when his clearance hit striker Kylian Kousassi, bouncing off him and allowing the no.1 to clear at the second attempt.

Gills made a change at the break. Green had suffered a knock early on and was replaced at the interval by Alex MacDonald.

The home fans tried to get their team going in the second half as Sutton were put under some pressure, the pace of Kashket causing the visitors problems, often dealt with by a push or a shove. The busy forward had a shot blocked with an hour gone as the Gills kept on trying.

Kashket had a shot deflected wide after quick thinking from MacDonald sent him away at goal from a throw. It was encouraging stuff from the Gills but they continued to lack the killer touch.

Lewis Walker replaced Mandron for the last 10 minutes and put a shot wide on the turn as Gills’ lack of potency infront of goal continued. Will Wright had a shot blocked from a corner with two minutes left.

A deserved goal finally came in stoppage-time as Kashket was put in on goal, his shot was saved but MacDonald was there to head home.

Gillingham: Morris, Alexander, Law, Ehmer, Wright, McKenzie, Williams, Green (MacDonald 46mins), Adelakun, Kashket (Baggott 90mins), Mandron (Walker 81mins). Subs not used: Turner, Mnoga, Gbode

Sutton: Ward, Kizzi, John, Rowe, Milsom, Neufville, Beautyman (Barden 89mins), Eastmond, Randall (Boldewijn 82mins), Kouassi (Kendall 67mins), Bugiel (Thomas 89mins). Subs not used: House, Lovatt, Pierre,

Attendance: 4,153 (255 away)

Referee: David Rock