Gillingham 0, Oxford Utd 1 (From Oxford Mail)
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Gillingham 0, Oxford Utd 1
10:37pm Tuesday 26th February 2013 in Sport
By David Pritchard, Chief Sports Reporter covering Oxford United. Follow us on twitter: @oxfordmailoufc. Call me on 01865 425458
Gillingham 0, Oxford Utd 1
ALFIE Potter struck late on as Oxford United magnificently toppled league leaders Gillingham at Priestfield tonight.
The winger, who was effectively used through the middle in a new-look side, ran through to beat goalkeeper Stuart Nelson to claim a superb result.
It was far from a smash and grab raid for the visitors, who went toe-to-toe with Gillingham all evening.
There was little to choose between the sides throughout in a fiercely contested game, but United deserved their result for a mature display.
When their moment arrived, Potter showed a ruthlessness to take the chance and punish the home side - an attribute which has been absent in recent weeks.
U’s boss Chris Wilder made four changes from the side which began Saturday’s goalless draw against York City.
Deane Smalley, who had started just once since the Gills visited the Kassam in October, came in up front.
Potter was brought in to play just behind him, as James Constable and Tom Craddock dropped to the bench.
Simon Heslop and Tony Capldi came into midfield for Josh Parker and the ineligible Lewis Montrose.
It looked a gamble against the leaders, but the line-up gelled quickly.
Gillingham were the first to threaten, when Joe Martin robbed Damian Batt and fizzed in a fourth-minute shot which keeper Luke McCormick tipped over.
After the early scare the U’s bounced back to take control of the game.
Potter played with a confidence which had been absent in recent weeks and was an irritation to the Gills back four.
He won three free-kicks in quick succession all within 30 yards of goal, with Adam Chapman firing the last of them into the arms of Nelson.
United showed a real intent in possession and they were a particular threat down the left flank, where Liam Davis and Sean Rigg combined well.
One bustling run from Davis ended with a low cross which found its way to Potter, who could not readjust his feet in time to take advantage.
But Gillingham showed why they have the best defensive record in League Two, with their back four working well under pressure to prevent any clear chances.
The hosts’ lack of success began to frustrate the majority of the crowd, but their side came into the game as an attacking force in the ten minutes before half-time.
Another burst from Martin exposed United’s defence, but the full back’s cross was only flicked goalwards by Adam Birchall and McCormick easily gathered.
Six minutes before the break McCormick was needed to make a far more testing stop.
Bradley Dack, brought on seconds earlier for the injured Myles Weston, should have scored with this first touch, but his close-range shot was too close to the U’s goalkeeper, who parried.
The pattern continued after half-time, as both centre back pairings excelled.
Gillingham withdrew all but Birchall when United pressed forward, strangling them for space.
United, looking for a third successive clean sheet, were equally impressive defensively.
Both sides made changes up front in the final 20 minutes.
Constable replaced Smalley, who had worked extremely hard to occupy the centre backs.
Gillingham threw on Antonio German, who had signed on loan from Brentford hours before the game.
He had a chance to crown his debut with a goal eight minutes from time, but scuffed a shot straight at McCormick.
The previous two meetings between the sides had finished goalless and as the game headed into the final ten minutes another stalemate looked on the cards.
But United stunned Priestfield when Capaldi sent Potter clear and the winger held off a challenge before tucking a neat shot past Nelson and into the net.
Michael Duberry was brought on to help repel Gillingham’s frantic search for an equaliser.
There were some nervous moments, but McCormick went untested and the away fans celebrated a memorable win.
Comments are closed on this article.

Comments (32)
10:49pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Patrick in Devon says...
11:10pm Tue 26 Feb 13
botleyboy says...
11:20pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Bis4badger says...
11:46pm Tue 26 Feb 13
martico1 says...
6:34am Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
7:01am Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
7:32am Wed 27 Feb 13
Chish and Fips says...
7:35am Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
7:39am Wed 27 Feb 13
Chish and Fips says...
8:03am Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
8:28am Wed 27 Feb 13
cleverswindler says...
8:46am Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
9:03am Wed 27 Feb 13
Chish and Fips says...
9:58am Wed 27 Feb 13
Joe1 says...
What a strange team we support winning away to the top team & playing so poorly at home. Guess it must be the curse on the K--------m ground?
10:11am Wed 27 Feb 13
Abingdonox says...
10:29am Wed 27 Feb 13
BigAlBiker says...
Pity we cant play away all the time, but i still maintain that Mr WIlder and his "oppo's" leave at the end f the season and take his donkeys with him.
Onwards and upwards.
11:22am Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
11:34am Wed 27 Feb 13
martico1 says...
11:53am Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
12:07pm Wed 27 Feb 13
BigAlBiker says...
1:15pm Wed 27 Feb 13
Maxter says...
2:17pm Wed 27 Feb 13
BigAlBiker says...
5:29pm Wed 27 Feb 13
cleverswindler says...
Good on you for going to Kent for a night game Martico, I'm afraid my enthusiasm has waned a bit!
6:09pm Wed 27 Feb 13
YellowRose says...
6:20pm Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
We can still salvage the season (just) - that's as positive as it could be - surely?
6:42pm Wed 27 Feb 13
YellowRose says...
10:09pm Wed 27 Feb 13
Richard Wickson says...
10:11pm Wed 27 Feb 13
oldun says...
6:57am Thu 28 Feb 13
adlibber says...
If we do go up I'll reconsider my opinion.
congrats to team for the win though and like most fans I wonder where that performance came from but I'd like to to hang around awhile anyway.
8:18am Thu 28 Feb 13
martico1 says...
5:20pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Manor Born says...
Credit it where it is due, Wilder set up a team that if it came away with a draw he and us all would have been delighted, so to get the win was the cream & the cherry on top.
Now we just need to stop worrying about the pitch at the stadium & concentrate on playing football.
8:50pm Thu 28 Feb 13
Richard Wickson says...