Gillingham too strong for 10-man Southend

Posted Sunday, October 06, 2019 by PA

Managerless Southend lost for the ninth time in 11 Sky Bet League One games as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Gillingham and finished the match with 10 men.

The Kent side dominated the first half but only took the lead two minutes before the break when loanee midfielder Alfie Jones saw his half-volley deflect past Mark Oxley.

Oxley was beaten again within 40 seconds of the restart as Stuart O’Keefe doubled the hosts’ advantage with a low curling effort.

Simon Cox pulled a neatly-worked goal back for the visitors approaching the hour, firing under Jack Bonham from 10 yards following Stephen McLaughlin’s short free-kick.

Second-bottom Southend’s chances of claiming their first away point of the season were dashed when substitute Emile Acquah was dismissed for a second booking following a foul on Barry Fuller just 11 minutes after coming on.

Gillingham striker Mikael Ndjoli then dramatically missed two penalties in the space of three minutes, shooting tamely against the post with his first effort before Oxley then tipped his second spot-kick wide.

However, Gillingham finally wrapped up the victory three minutes from time when Brandon Hanlan slotted into an empty net to end their three-match winless run.