Gillingam 2 v 1 Millwall

Coca-Cola League One

MILLWALL'S travel sickness shows no signs of abating following defeat to fellow early season strugglers Gillingham.

Nigel Spackman's Lions have now failed to reap any return from their four League One matches on their travels this season but it was not for the want of trying at Priestfield.

In the end Clint Easton and Matthew Jarvis scored Gills' vital goals in either half with only Poul Hubertz's late consolation in response.

At times Spackman's side produced periods of possession but it was a similar scenario of lacking penetration.

It means they have collected just one point out the last 12 available and they remain second from bottom in the table.

Spackman handed a trio of players their full league debuts with Ali Fuseini, Zoom Bakayogo and Chris Zebroski included in a starting line-up which also saw Alan Dunne make his first league start of the season.

But The Lions had barely time to get into their stride before Gillingham had taken the lead courtesy of a wonder-goal from Easton who let fly with a 30-yard screamer.

However, the Gills could count themselves fortunate they were not penalised when Dunne was clearly obstructed as he tried to sprint clear.

The ball fell to Easton and his strike would have beaten any keeper in the country.

Millwall went agonisingly close to levelling within 60 seconds but Zak Whitbread's header from a Dunne corner flashed a yard wide of the mark.

From then on it was virtually one-way traffic in the opening half as The Lions started to exert pressure on the Gillingham defence.

Fuseini showed great technique and quick-thinking when he reacted first after another Dunne corner was hacked clear but saw his stinging volley sizzle just off target.

Home keeper Scott Flinders, recently joined on loan from Crystal Palace, blocked at the near post from Bakayogo and then a lovely back-heel by Darren Byfield found Bakayogo but his low delivery was held comfortably by Flinders.

Millwall introduced Maurice Ross for Whitbread a couple of minutes into the second half and again The Lions pressed forward with the impressive Fuseini spraying the ball around with a maturity which belied his age of just 17.

Twice the teenager found Bakayogo on the overlap but twice the Frenchman's delivery was unable to reflect the quality of Fuseini's initial pass.

But just when The Lions looked as if they were going to push on and get something for their efforts, Gillingham effectively killed the game with a second goal on 63 minutes.

Again, there was a slightly fortuitous decision which went the home side's way - this time when Byfield was the meat in a defensive sandwich but referee Ray Olivier ignored his appeal for a foul.

Within seconds the ball was at the other end of the field and in the back of the net, courtesy of a smart angled finish by Jarvis on the right.

Spackman responded by bringing on Marvin Williams and Hubertz for Bakayogo and Zebroski but it was the home side who could have added a third on 74 minutes when Jarvis fired over with the goal begging.

Millwall refused to give up though and should have reduced the arrears seven minutes from time when Hubertz chested Richard Shaw's long ball into the path of the onrushing Dunne but the midfielder screwed his shot wide.

The Lions handed themselves a lifeline with three minutes remaining courtesy of Hubertz's flicked header from a Williams centre - his third goal of the season and second against the Gills after the 2-1 Carling Cup win.

And the visitors were inches away from grabbing an injury-time equaliser when Ross floated in a free-kick but the ball curled excruciatingly away from the unmarked Paul Robinson at the far post.

To sum up Millwall's luck on the night, Elliott launched a long ball into the danger zone in the dying seconds and Dunne flicked on perfectly into space for Byfield.

At any other moment the striker would have been free to run onto the ball and have a clear shot at goal.

Unfortunately, Byfield had fallen to the ground a split-second earlier suffering with cramp.

Millwall face a tough trip to Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

MATCH FACTS:

MILLWALL: Day, Senda, Robinson, Shaw, Whitbread (Ross, 49), Bakayogo (Williams 68), Elliott, Fuseini, Dunne, Zebroski (Hubertz 71), Byfield. SUBS NOT USE: Pidgeley, Ardley.

ATT:7,134.