A goal in each half from Iffy Onuora and his co-striker Marlon King helped Gillingham to a notable victory - but they almost conceded a sensational stoppage-time equaliser.

With the seconds ticking away their goalkeeper Vince Bartram raced out of his penalty area to clear a hopeful downfield ball from Coventry's defence but he mis-hit his clearance under pressure from the home striker Lee Hughes.

The ball flew to Coventry's young substitute Lee Fowler in front of the Gillingham dug-out and he whacked it first time towards the gaping net.

With the roar from the Coventry fans rising to a crescendo the ball curled in the wind but smacked against the cross-bar and flew to safety.

The Kent side deserved their victory for a very tidy performance in conditions which made passing football difficult.

Onuora stunned Coventry in the 19th minute when the ball fell to him 15 yards inside the Coventry half.

He hit it first time and Coventry's goalkeeper Magnus Hedman could only stare in disbelief as the ball flew past him into the net.

Coventry's only opportunity of the first half came after just 40 seconds when Lee Mills knocked the ball high into the goalmouth and the wind caught it to take it over Bartram's head where it struck the upright and rebounded for Gillingham to clear.

Coventry tried to apply pressure in the second half but King made the point safe in the 77th minute when Paul Shaw's cross bounced off a defender and the striker whipped it into the net before anyone else could react.

Five minutes from the end Coventry were given hope when Jay Bothroyd prodded the ball into the Gillingham net but the Kent side survived the final rally to win the points.

Teams:

Coventry: Hedman, Quinn, Shaw, Breen, Hall (Fowler 83), Delorge, Carsley, Healy, Betts (McSheffrey 74), Hughes, Mills (Bothroyd 63).

Subs Not Used: Davenport, Montgomery.

Goals: Bothroyd 86.

Gillingham: Bartram, Patterson, Ashby, Hope, Perpetuini, Gooden, Browning, Smith, Shaw, Onuora, King (Hessenthaler 81).

Subs Not Used: Butters, Nosworthy, Ipoua, Osborn.

Booked: Perpetuini, Hessenthaler.

Goals: Onuora 19, King 77.

Att: 14,337

Ref: S Mathieson (Stockport).