Gillingham 2 : 1 Peterborough United - McDonald at the double in Gills win

Posted Wednesday, September 17, 2014 by PA

Cody McDonald's 50th goal for Gillingham helped earn the hosts a 2-1 victory against high-flying Peterborough.

McDonald gave the Gills the lead with his third goal of the campaign, as he rose well to head home from Jake Hessenthaler's pin-point delivery after 26 minutes.

The striker almost doubled his side's advantage shortly afterwards when he volleyed narrowly wide following a mix-up between Posh goalkeeper Ben Alnwick and defender Christian Burgess.

A fluke goal from Jon Taylor levelled the game on the stroke of half-time, as the former Shrewsbury player's cross-turned-shot looped over the head of on-loan Gills keeper Stephen Bywater.

But after Burgess had handled Jermaine McGlashan's chip in the box, McDonald converted from the penalty spot four minutes from the end to snatch all three points for Peter Taylor's men.

Half-time substitute Joe Newell hit the post for the visitors, who lost on the road for the first time this season, with a curling 20-yard effort.

Leading scorer Kyle Vassell also shot straight at Bywater from close range, and former Gills midfielder Jack Payne volleyed over.