Gillingham 2 MK Dons 1: Macaulay Bonne and Scott Malone score at Priestfield in League 2 victory

Managerless Gillingham got back to winning ways in League 2 with victory over MK Dons on Saturday.

Macaulay Bonne was dropped for Saturday’s game but came off the bench early on as an injury replacement, livening the Gills up after a tame start and scoring the opener.

Scott Malone added a second and despite Gillingham’s good play a late goal from Ellis Harrison made for a tense finish, the game ending 2-1. While the Gills impressed on the attack, they did look vulnerable defensively at times. MK finished with 10 men after Daniel Harvie picked up a second booking in stoppage-time.

Bonne had been criticised for a costly miss in the week at Crewe but he was key to bagging the points on Saturday as the Gills started life afresh following Neil Harris’ sacking.

This was a match between two teams looking to rekindle their early season form. The Gills went into the game without a win in three.

At the end of August, MK Dons were top of the pile with the Gills sitting second.

The Gills had made the decision to axe manager Harris ahead of this match as they look for a “new direction.” Experienced coach Keith Millen took charge for the weekend clash.

Gillingham’s stand-in boss made some popular moves in his team selection as the front-two of Ashley Nadesan and Tom Nichols returned to the XI, replacing Bonne, while winger Jayden Clarke was handed a rare start.

With two wingers and two up-top, it was a back-to-basics 4-4-2 look to the Gills.

As it turned out, an early injury for Nadesan meant Bonne was back earlier than expected as an 18th-minute replacement.

Milton Keynes had edged an uneventful start to the match but after an injury break the Gills came alive.

Bonne had a chance straight away after being introduced, dragging a shot