AFC Wimbledon 2 Gillingham 0: League 2 match report from the Cherry Red Records Stadium, Plough Lane - Conor Masterson sent off for Gills as Omar Bugiel nets twice

Gillingham had a man sent off as their play-off challenge suffered a major blow at Wimbledon.

Omar Bugiel had nodded the hosts in front before Masterson picked up two yellow cards in two minutes towards the end of the opening half. Bugiel doubled the lead after the break to seal the points and a 2-0 win for the Dons.

Conor Mahoney’s game-changing weekend display earned him a return to the starting XI for the Gills as Ashley Nadesan dropped to the bench.

Just a point and a place separated the teams ahead of the midweek match in the race for the play-offs. This was a crucial fixture with teams further below also within striking distance and with games in hand.

The second half against Tranmere had seen the Gills impress but it was back to a laboured first-half showing at Wimbledon. Head coach Stephen Clemence opted to stick with a 5-4-1 formation rather than a four-man defence that got them a weekend point.

Oli Hawkins headed a great chance over the bar from Remeao Hutton’s pinpoint cross - one of few clear-cut opportunities in the opening half for the visitors.

Ronan Curtis had also nodded over at the other end during a fairly even opening but referee Tom Kirk’s early booking for Gillingham captain Max Ehmer set the low bar for yellow cards.

Ehmer was cautioned for an 11th-minute foul and appeared to be walking a tightrope after conceding a free-kick soon after. He then inadvertently put a boot into the face of Bugiel.

It was Bugiel who put the Dons ahead with a cushioned header from a deep cross as he got the better of Masterson to guide the ball beyond the reach of keeper Glenn Morris.

Five minutes after the Gills conceded the referee booked Masterson for a lunge at Armani Little that some felt could have been worthy of