Gillingham 1 Crewe Alexandra 0 match report: Sam Gale scores late winner to beat League Two leaders

Sam Gale added to his growing reputation with a late winner for Gillingham in League Two on Saturday.

For the second home game running, the Gills defeated the league leaders with Crewe’s perfect start to the season coming to an abrupt end.

There was a touch of fortune about the three points, though, as Crewe - who scored seven goals in their first two away games - hit the woodwork four times.

Gills made just one change from the midweek win over Chesterfield with Bradley Dack replacing Jonny Williams.

Left-sided Lenni Cirino maintained his spot after a goalscoring debut while Robbie McKenzie was making his 200th appearance for the Gills.

The visitors started brightest with Gills defender Gale collecting an early yellow card after hauling down Tommi O’Reilly on the edge of his own area inside five minutes.

It was nearly a double punishment for the hosts as Max Sanders’ free-kick was met by the head of skipper Mickey Demetriou but his header came back off the crossbar.

The lively O’Reilly, who also hit the post in the first half, again escaped the clutches of Gale on 12 minutes. Keeper Glenn Morris pushed out his fierce 20-yard drive and Remeao Hutton was on hand to hack the ball clear.

Crewe left-back Reece Hutchinson was booked for delaying Gills taking a throw-in near halfway midway through the half.

It was a stop-start first half as Crewe lived up to the early-season stat of having won and conceded the most fouls in League Two. There were 13 free-kicks in the opening half-hour.

Josh Andrews, as always, was pushed and pulled in most directions. A good advantage when Andrews almost had his shirt taken off his back led to a promising Gills move as Hutton picked out the striker but he dragged his early shot wide of the