Gillingham 0 Salford City 3 match report: Goal-shy Gills lose their way after encouraging first-half performance as they are beaten in League 2 again

Things went from bad to worse on Saturday for struggling Gillingham who suffered another League 2 loss - this time to Salford.

Gillingham had enjoyed the better of a goalless first half but still couldn’t find a sorely-needed breakthrough, and second-half strikes by Theo Vassell, Ryan Watson and Callum Hendry earned the visitors a 3-0 victory.

The hosts had actually made a decent start at Priestfield to a first-ever meeting between the clubs, as they won a couple of early set-piece opportunities, but they came to nothing in the end in front of a crowd of 3,853. That included 99 away supporters.

A first clear-cut chance of the match for the Gills came in the 11th minute when skipper Shaun Williams nodded wide Ben Reeves’ corner at the near post. Soon after, playmaker Reeves stung the palms of visiting keeper Tom King with a powerful drive.

Six minutes later, on-loan Brighton and Switzerland forward Lorent Tolaj attempted to add some international flavour to an early kick-off due to World Cup knock-out matches in Qatar being held on the same day. Former under-17, under-18 and under-19 international Tolaj sliced over for the away team.

After a Salford foul throw shortly before the half-hour mark, Robbie McKenzie blasted over from long range for Neil Harris’ men.

But the Manchester club - owned by the “Class of 92” which includes David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville among others - then threatened. But home keeper Jake Turner gathered after a dangerous left-wing cross by Matt Smith had caused problems.

As Gillingham’s wait for a league goal went beyond 500 minutes, attacker Jordan Green was thwarted by King with 38 minutes played.

Odin Bailey then drilled just wide for Neil Wood’s side who came on strong towards the end