Gillingham 2 Sheff Utd 0: Clough’s assessment is refuted by late blows

The Blades were beaten by two late goals at Gillingham to deal a blow to their play-off hopes.

“I thought we played all right first half, but couldn’t really see them scoring – it had a 0-0 written all over it,” said Clough following his side’s defeat.

“After 86 minutes (goalkeeper) Mark Howard’s had a rush of blood – it was a poor kick to start with, then he’s come rushing out and it’s cost us the game. We didn’t create too much but they didn’t either.”

Jermaine McGlashan and Cody McDonald got the goals which secured victory for Gillingham over the visitors in front of new boss Justin Edinburgh.

McGlashan, on as a substitute, slotted in from Max Ehmer’s long ball with four minutes left. McDonald then smashed in McGlashan’s lay-off. The results leaves the Blades without a win in their last five away league games.

Gillingham: Nelson, Hoyte, Egan, Ehmer, Garmston, Pritchard (Galbraith 45), Hessenthaler, Loft, Dack, Marquis (McGlashan 79), McDonald. Unused substitutes: Legge, Glenn Morris, German, Norris, Dickenson.

Sheffield United: Howard, Harris, Basham, Brayford, Coutts, Davies (Campbell-Ryce 63), Reed, McEveley, Baxter (Holt 77), Murphy, Adams (McNulty 84). Unused substitutes: Doyle, Turner, Freeman, Kennedy.

Referee: I Williamson (Berkshire).