Mandron shines as Gills overcome MK Dons

Posted Saturday, December 21, 2019 by PA

Two goals in three first-half minutes from Mikael Mandron and Brandon Hanlan helped Gillingham to a 3-1 victory over struggling MK Dons.

The Gills started brightly and only a last-ditch block from captain Dean Lewington prevented Olly Lee from putting the hosts in front within 50 seconds.

Lee turned provider for Mandron’s opener after 31 minutes as the Frenchman met the midfielder’s brilliant chip to glance his header past Lee Nicholls.

Steve Evans’ side doubled their advantage two minutes later as Mandron – seemingly coming back from an offside position – played in leading scorer Hanlan to fire home.

MK Dons improved after the break and a brilliant individual goal from Alex Gilbey after 52 minutes – with his side’s first shot on target – brought them back into the game.

However, Gills defender Max Ehmer restored the hosts’ two-goal advantage five minutes later after reacting the quickest to Nicholls’ parry from Lee’s driven free-kick.

Joe Mason and substitute Sam Nombe attempted speculative long-range efforts late on for Russell Martin’s side, who fell to their 11th league defeat from their last 14 games.