CAMERON Brannagan scored his first career hat-trick in implausible fashion as he struck four penalties in Oxford United's 7-2 win at hapless Gillingham.

The U’s No 8 sent Pontus Dahlberg the wrong way early in the first half and three times after the break to take his tally to eight for the season on an historic day for the visitors.

United had never scored seven away from home in the Football League, but managerless Gillingham made it far too easy virtually from the first whistle.

The visitors struck three times inside the opening 20 minutes for the first time since their League Cup thrashing of Brentford in August 2015, Brannagan slotting home spot-kick No 1 either side of Billy Bodin’s cute finish and Matty Taylor’s header.

Gillingham are now without a win in 17 games and an unlikely comeback looked even further away when Brannagan scored two more penalties in the first ten minutes of the second half.

The first came after he was brought down in slapstick fashion by Dahlberg, before making it 5-0 after Sam Long was felled.

Danny Lloyd pulled one back just after the hour mark, before a flurry of late goals concluded a ridiculous afternoon.

Brannagan struck his fourth penalty seven minutes from time, then Gillingham left back Robbie McKenzie headed home before substitute Anthony Forde slid in for his first of the season.

United stay sixth in Sky Bet League One, but the impact on their confidence – and their goal difference – should not be underestimated.

Jordan Thorniley’s recall by Blackpool earlier this week forced the visitors into one change, with Luke McNally partnering Elliott Moore at centre back.

James Henry and Gavin Whyte remain unavailable, so the U’s named a six-man bench for the second successive game.

Ryan Williams was among the substitutes after missing last weekend’s win over Sheffield Wednesday due to the birth of his son, with young midfielder Ben Davis also in the squad.

Gillingham top-scorer Vadaine Oliver was unavailable, also due to a recent new arrival, while Conor Masterson was on the bench for the hosts after signing on loan from QPR yesterday.

Fellow Loftus Road loanee Charlie Kelman had the first chance after 60 seconds, firing just past the near post from 15 yards. It was the closest the hosts came in the first half.

Mark Sykes shot wide from the edge of the penalty area after Dahlberg and Jack Tucker got in each other’s way, but United soon had the goal that put them in control.

Marcus McGuane began a clinical counter-attack as he won possession in U's territory and drove over the halfway line, before feeding Sykes to his right.

Bodin was allowed to run untracked into the Gillingham box and received the pass from his teammate, checked inside a defender and placed the shot past Dahlberg for his first league goal since August 2019.

The U’s took just four minutes to double their lead after Olly Lee’s rash sliding challenge on Taylor gave them the perfect opportunity.

United had missed their last two League One penalties, but Brannagan sent Dahlberg the wrong way to kick-start an unforgettable afternoon.

The visitors were allowed far too much time and space, particularly on the wings, and Bodin fired over from Nathan Holland’s cut-back five minutes later.

A diving Dahlberg pushed Brannagan’s curling effort away from United’s next attack and you got the sense it was only a matter of time until another goal.

It came almost immediately, as the U’s scored from a set-piece for the second week running.

Bodin’s free-kick from the left touchline was dangerous, but Gillingham made it too easy for Taylor to meet the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and head into the net.

The home fans had been venting their anger at chairman Paul Scally before the third goal, but the mood turned from toxic to resignation as United saw out the rest of the half in second gear.

Kyle Dempsey shot straight at Jack Stevens from 20 yards as Gillingham improved slightly, although there was little to seriously worry the U’s goalkeeper.

Victory was all-but assured as the teams came out for the second half, but Dahlberg made sure under three minutes after the restart.

It was a moment to forget for the stopper, who feinted to avoid the sliding Brannagan – only to hesitate and allow the midfielder to get to his feet, win the ball and go down under his challenge.

Dahlberg was booked and could not redeem himself, this time diving left as the U’s No 8 dispatched the penalty in front of the visiting fans.

The goalkeeper made himself big to block Taylor’s close-range effort nine minutes into the second half, but moments later he was face to face with Brannagan again.

Long knocked the ball past Tucker and got the wrong side of the Gillingham defender, with referee Robert Madley given no choice but to point to the spot.

History repeated itself as Brannagan sent Dahlberg the wrong way, with the midfielder running to the U’s fans to celebrate a milestone moment.

Sam Winnall replaced Taylor before play restarted, with Williams on for Holland minutes later, while Gillingham’s Daniel Phillips came on for Lee.

The hosts did not give up and Lloyd worked hard for his goal, racing on to Kelman’s flick-on and outmuscling Steve Seddon.

Jack Stevens came out to narrow the angle, but the ball went loose and the forward rolled it into an empty net.

Gillingham continued to push forward and Stevens beat away a fierce Lloyd effort at the near post with 17 minutes left, while Phillips and McKenzie tried their luck from range.

Three penalties was unlikely enough, but a fourth was just impossible – or so we thought.

Phillips handled a cross from the right and Brannagan grabbed the ball to make it 6-1 with his fourth spot-kick, again sending the ball to Dahlberg’s right.

McKenzie popped up with a late header to grab another goal for Gillingham, but United were not done yet.

Williams surged forward and crossed low, with Forde – on as a substitute for Bodin just five minutes earlier – completing the rout.

Gillingham (4-1-4-1): Dahlberg, Jackson, Ehmer, Tucker, McKenzie, Lee (Phillips 56), Carayol (Sithole 76), O‘Keefe, Dempsey, Lloyd, Kelman.

Unused subs: Chapman, Tutonda, Masterson, Lintott, Dickson-Peters.

Booked: Lee, Carayol, Dahlberg.

Oxford United (4-2-3-1): Stevens, Long, McNally, Moore, Seddon, Brannagan, McGuane, Sykes, Bodin (Forde 84), Holland (Williams 60), Taylor (Winnall 56).

Unused subs: Eastwood, Mousinho, Davis.

Booked: None.

Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire).

Attendance: TBC.