AFC Wimbledon 2 Gillingham 0: Ethan Chislett and Jack Currie score for the Dons at the Cherry Red Records Stadium as Gills start League 2 campaign with a loss

Gillingham lost their opening League 2 match of the season in a battle between two sides relegated last term.

A fine strike from Ethan Chislett put hosts AFC Wimbledon ahead after a disappointing first 45 minutes for Neil Harris’ men. Ben Reeves’ introduction helped turn Gillingham into more of an attacking threat but it wasn't enough and Jack Currie made it 2-0 to the Dons.

With captain Stuart O’Keefe missing injured and striker Lewis Walker not registered in time, the Gills topped up their bench with two of the youth team. Joe Gbode and Matt MacArthur made up the 18-man squad.

Nine of Gillingham’s starting XI were summer signings, including returning keeper Glenn Morris who got the nod ahead of Jake Turner.

Manager Neil Harris was forced to conduct things from the main stand after his one-match touchline ban was served from the previous campaign. He was in radio contact with keeper coach Deren Ibrahim.

The Wimbledon defence didn’t look too assured, especially early on, but the Gills were unable to capitalise in the opening half.

Wimbledon took a 15th minute lead and it came from a shot that Morris could do little to stop, Chislett’s rifled effort from the edge of the box finding the top corner after Elkan Baggott had headed clear a corner into his path.

Jack Currie was a threat for the hosts on their left side with his energy and skill but it was from Lee Brown’s balls in that led to a Chris Gunter shot that needed saving and later on a header from Will Nightingale that went wide.

Gillingham had struggled to create anything meaningful in the opening half, lacking the same intensity as the hosts did in attack.

Harris made a switch at the break with Ben Reeves taking to the field in an attempt to get things happening for