Shaun Goater's 11th goal of the season was enough to earn Reading maximum
points in a dire clash at the Priestfield Stadium.
The Royals, who had been beaten 5-1 at Rotherham in their last outing, had
goalkeeper Marcus Hahnemann to thank for preserving their advantage as he saved
a first-half penalty from John Hills.
Chances were at a premium after the break, and Steve Coppell's side held on
comfortably.
The home side made three changes from the line-up beaten 1-0 at Burnley.
Goalkeeper Bertrand Bossu, defender Hills and striker Rod Wallace replaced
injured trio Jason Brown, Chris Hope and former Reading forward Darius
Henderson.
The Royals also made a triple change as first-choice defensive duo Steve Brown
and Adie Williams missed out through injury and suspension respectively and
Kevin Watson succumbed to a calf problem.
Ivar Ingimarsson, Ricky Newman and James Harper came in.
John Salako forced a fine save from Bossu in the fifth minute with a
long-range volley but the Royals did not have to wait much longer to take the
lead.
A hopeful ball upfield caused confusion in the Gills defence and when Bossu
hesitated, Goater nipped in to flick the ball over him and into the corner of
the goal.
The Gills were denied a penalty shortly afterwards as Ingimarsson brought down
Patrick Agyemang, with referee Rob Styles deciding that the incident had
occurred outside the area.
But Styles did point to the spot in the 35th minute after Ingimarsson brought
down player-manager Andy Hessenthaler in the area.
Hills struck his spot-kick well but American Hahnemann dived to his left to
make the save.
Gillingham striker Mamady Sidibe, back from African Nations Cup duty with
Mali, was thrown into the action at the start of the second half, but it was the
visitors who came closest to a second goal.
Salako's inviting cross fell kindly for Nicky Shorey, but the defender's shot
was superbly tipped over the crossbar by Bossu.
Gillingham, who had struggled to create chances all afternoon, threw on Tommy
Johnson in a desperate attempt to snatch an equaliser.
Danny Spiller stung Hahnemann's palms with a 25-yard free-kick but that was
the closest they came.
Teams:
Gillingham: Bossu, James, Ashby, Leon Johnson, Hills,
Pouton (Sidibe 45), Smith, Hessenthaler, Spiller, Agyemang,
Wallace (Tommy Johnson 69), Tommy Johnson (Southall 75).
Subs Not Used: Rose, Crofts.
Reading: Hahnemann, Murty, Shorey, Ingimarsson, Newman, Hughes,
Sidwell, Harper, Salako (Murray 90), Goater (Kitson 77), Owusu.
Subs Not Used: Savage, Morgan, Young.
Booked: Hughes, Newman.
Goals: Goater 8.
Att: 8,600
Ref: R Styles (Hampshire).
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