Lee Hughes fired a late winner for West Brom at The Hawthorns as Gillingham's
relegation worries deepened.
Hughes scored his 11th goal of the season 11 minutes from time to put the
Baggies back on level terms with Norwich at the top and eight points clear of
nearest rivals Sunderland.
Young substitute Lloyd Dyer, who has netted some crucial goals in the past few
weeks for Albion, set the goal up as his cross was converted at the far post by
Hughes - and the home side's relief was clearly evident.
For Gillingham, Andy Hessenthaler's men crashed to their fifth successive
defeat as they remain one point clear of the drop zone.
West Brom had the first clear sight of goal in the 15th minute when Jason
Koumas, restored to the starting line-up at the expense of Macedonian Artim
Sakiri, curled in a free-kick, but Thomas Gaardsoe could not keep his header
down.
It took 23 minutes before a goalkeeper had a save to make, Gillingham's Steve
Banks keeping out Sean Gregan's 20-yard drive.
The home side started to up the pace and they were presented with another
dangerous-looking free-kick on the edge of the box in the 27th minute after
Nicky Southall fouled Horsfield.
But Southall redeemed himself by making a brilliant lunge from Koumas'
free-kick.
Geoff Horsfield missed a great opportunity to open the scoring 10 minutes
before half-time. Koumas swung over a free-kick but the striker fired wide from
six yards.
Horsfield tried to make amends moments later when he tried his luck from 20
yards, but again his shot drifted wide.
Albion boss Gary Megson replaced Mark Kinsella with supersub Dyer at the break
as he attempted to breach the Gillingham defence.
But it was Koumas who came close to breaking the deadlock eight minutes after
the restart, forcing Banks into a fine save.
Gillingham finally threatened in the 64th minute but Gaardsoe's lunge denied
Richard Rose while Koumas put a volley wide as Albion continued to struggle.
With 20 minutes remaining Banks kept his side on level terms when he foiled
Horsfield again.
Hoult was finally called into making a save 18 minutes from time when Mamady
Sidibe drilled in a shot from 25 yards as Gillingham continued to plug away.
Indeed, the visitors went close again moments later when Spiller found
substitute Matthew Jarvis six yards out, but Hoult came to his side's rescue.
Hughes then broke the deadlock and Horsfield squandered another opportunity to
kill the game off - but Albion held on.
Teams
West Brom: Hoult, Chambers, Moore, Gaardsoe, Robinson, Johnson,
Koumas (Clement 90), Gregan, Kinsella (Dyer 45), Hughes,
Horsfield.
Subs Not Used: Murphy, Hulse, Facey.
Booked: Robinson, Gregan.
Goals: Hughes 79.
Gillingham: Banks, Southall, Cox, Hope, Leon Johnson,
Rose (Hills 73), Spiller (Hessenthaler 85), Pouton, Crofts,
Agyemang (Jarvis 68), Sidibe.
Subs Not Used: Bossu, Ashby.
Booked: Southall.
Att: 24,524
Ref: R Pearson (Co Durham).
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