Late Connor Ogilvie goal hands Gillingham victory over Sunderland

Posted Sunday, December 08, 2019 by PA

Defender Connor Ogilvie scored an 89th-minute winner as Gillingham beat out-of-form Sunderland 1-0 at Priestfield.

The hosts dominated throughout, with strikers Brandon Hanlan and Mikael Mandron both hitting the bar in the first half.

Hanlan, who scored the winner when the two sides met in an FA Cup first-round replay at Priestfield last month, saw his header hit the underside of the bar and bounce onto the line in the 24th minute.

Mandron was then denied by the woodwork seven minutes before the break as he met Hanlan’s low delivery into the box.

The visitors improved after the break and almost took the lead when Luke O’Nien forced Gills goalkeeper Jack Bonham into a smart save from his volley. Substitute Charlie Wyke also shot inches wide seconds after coming on.

The referee controversially disallowed a Wyke goal in the 77th minute after he ruled that the striker met Will Grigg’s cross with his hand.

Left-back Ogilvie then fired home a late winner for Steve Evans’ side from close range after the visitors failed to clear Olly Lee’s corner.

Defeat means that Sunderland have won just twice in seven league games since Parkinson replaced Jack Ross in charge at the Stadium of Light.