Gillingham 2 Grimsby 1: George Lapslie scores opener in League 2 match at Priestfield; Gevan Holohan levelled but Oli Hawkins headed in a winner

Gillingham are out of the League 2 relegation zone thanks to their win over Grimsby Town on Tuesday night.

George Lapslie had put the Gills infront on his first start for the club but the home side were unable to hold onto their lead, Gevan Holohan heading in Grimsby’s equaliser. But with three minutes left Hawkins headed in the winning goal.

Midfielder Lapslie was included in the Gills’ starting eleven after four appearances off the bench - the only change to the team from that which kicked off at Mansfield on the Saturday.

The Gills were looking to bounce back from that 2-0 defeat but the first half was a struggle. With Shaun Williams dropping to the bench Harris’ men were missing that experience in the middle.

It was a game that struggled to excite during the opening half. Anthony Glennon’s high challenge on Robbie McKenzie got the home fans riled and he got away with a booking. He could have got another had referee Craig Hicks been more forceful after he kicked the ball away at a throw.

Both teams put corner kicks straight out of play and the best chances were wasted.

Lapslie got caught out close to goal midway through the half and was grateful to see John McAtee fire wide. The Gills man then had a super chance of his own after Alex MacDonald’s through-ball put him in on goal but instead of taking on the shot, he tried to find team-mate Dom Jefferies and Grimsby cleared.

Lapse marking from the Gills allowed Glennon a sight of goal, after Bryn Morris had picked him out in space from a throw-in. The Grimsby man was wasteful with a shot over the bar.

Gillingham had more chances in the opening moments of the second half than they did the entire first 45, with Lapslie playing slightly higher at the top of a midfield