Andy Smith nets first Gillingham goal in victory over nine-man Accrington

Gillingham celebrated their first win since late February with a 2-0 League Two victory over nine-man Accrington at Priestfield.

Andy Smith scored his first goal in Gillingham colours, heading home an Armani Little corner in the closing stages of the first half, with Garath McCleary’s superb strike early in the second period sealing the points.

After a quiet start it was the hosts who progressively bossed proceedings and created two quick-fire chances.

Firstly, a long throw from Remeao Hutton was met by Nelson Khumbeni and a defender did well to block his goal-bound effort before another was well placed to thwart Sam Gale.

Moments later Little found Lenni Cirino in space on the left wing, he cut inside before seeing his right-footed effort saved by Ollie Wright.

The Gills’ pressure finally paid dividends after 36 minutes when Little’s corner was guided towards the far post and Smith out-muscled his man to guide a header into the opposite corner.

McCleary bagged the hosts’ second just before the hour mar. The forward kept the ball in play and offloaded to Max Clark, his low ball found Ronan Hale and the striker touched it back to McCleary, who found the far corner with a brilliant strike.

Accrington finished the game with nine men as Tyler Walton was sent off for a second bookable offence before David Abimbola was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident.