Ten-man Sunderland came from behind to gain all three points and returned to winning ways in League One.
The hosts took the lead through a Danny Lloyd strike from the spot; in first half injury time Aiden O’Brien levelled the scores going into the half time break. Not long after the break Sunderland completed the turnaround with a Tom Flanagan strike, Elliot Embleton was then sent off with over 20 minutes to go, but Sunderland hung on for the crucial three points.
Lee Johnson made three changes with Callum Doyle, Dan Neil, and Alex Pritchard replaced Bailey Wright, Corry Evans, and Leon Dajaku.
Over 2000 away fans made the long trip down to Kent, looking to bounce back from the 4-0 thrashing away to Portsmouth.
Sunderland had the first opening of the match as Elliot Embleton tried to play through Ross Stewart, but the big Scot couldn’t get on the end of it and was beaten to it by Jamie Cumming.
Gillingham almost took the lead 7 minutes into the game following a long-range effort from Jack Tucker, and Thorben Hoffman was forced into action again from the corner following a scramble in the box.
The hosts had started at a good tempo and weren’t going to sit back and let Sunderland take control of possession.
Gillingham were awarded a penalty as Luke O’Nien was beaten to the clearance swiped at Stuart O’Keefe, and Lloyd sent Hoffman the wrong way.
With half an hour played Sunderland looked devoid of ideas and any way of breaking down the home side.
Mustapha Carayol was causing Sunderland problems and on the half-volley fired an effort just wide of Hoffman’s post.
On the stroke of half-time, Dan Neil whipped in a beautiful ball and found Aiden O’Brien at the back post to prod home to level the scores.
Sunderland has started the second half on the front foot, and Alex Pritchard chipped a ball up to the far post, and Tom Flanagan was up there to head home. The big centre half clattered into the post on the follow-through as he simply wanted it more than the defender.
An hour into the match, and the lads were on top and looking for that third goal, the hosts were under immense pressure trying to stay in the game.
With just over 20 minutes to play, Sunderland shot themselves in the foot as Embleton went flying into a challenge and was shown a straight red card.
Gillingham with John Akinde up top were looking to lump balls into the box on every occasion and had Sunderland pinned back.
Kyle Dempsey did well to beat a man and get a ball into the back post, but Dennis Cirkin did well to block Charlie Kelman’s close range header.
The Gills almost scored an outrageous header from far out and Hoffman did brilliantly to tip the looping effort onto the post.
Sunderland were hanging on for the lives, and Gillingham’s long throws had been a constant menace and hit the bar with only second to spare.
Full Time: Gillingham 1-2 Sunderland
ALS Man of the Match: Thorben Hoffman
Sunderland: Hoffmann; Winchester, Flanagan, Doyle, Cirkin; O'Nien, Neil, Embleton, Pritchard (Wright 71’), O'Brien (Harris 90’); Stewart
Subs Not Used: Burge, Hume, Harris, Sohna, Wearne, Younger
