Doncaster 1 Gillingham 0: League Two match report from the Eco-Power Stadium

Gillingham suffered their first league defeat of the season after a tough outing at Doncaster Rovers.

Doncaster deservedly led at the break through Billy Sharp and that goal was enough for them to claim the points against a Gills side who struggled to create clear-cut chances themselves.

Gillingham’s preparations for the match were hampered by a lack of central defensive cover and it was Oli Hawkins who stepped in to partner Shad Ogie, wearing a cast on his broken wrist.

There was no involvement for Robbie McKenzie - one of Mark Bonner’s defensive options - having picked up a knock in the win over Chesterfield the previous week. Central defenders Conor Masterson (injury) and Max Ehmer (suspended) were both unavailable.

Bradley Dack was also missing from the line-up, initially named on the bench but replaced before kick-off by Joe Gbode.

Ethan Coleman was back in the eleven for the Gills - days after agreeing a contact extension - after returning from injury in the midweek EFL Trophy match.

The Gills struggled to create anything meaningful in attack during the first half.

Jordan Gibson fired wide for the hosts early on and was denied by a terrific Glenn Morris save before the home side took the lead.

Gibson won a header inside the box from a deep cross and nodded the ball down for Sharp, who fired home on the turn past Morris.

Luke Molyneux hooked an effort onto the roof of the net after Morris had punched clear and Sharp headed narrowly wide before the break.

The home keeper Ted Sharman-Lowe didn’t have a lot to deal with and the home defenders weren’t troubled by striker Marcus Wyllie, coping with any long balls forward with ease.

Wyllie was replaced by Elliott Nevitt after the interval.

Molyneux went close for Rovers