Match report

Bristol Rovers Secure 2-1 Victory Over Gillingham in League Two Clash

Gillingham
Gillingham
1–2
FT
Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers
Mar 21, 2026

In a dramatic encounter in League Two, Bristol Rovers stunned Gillingham with a 2-1 victory. Despite an early penalty goal from Gillingham's R. Hale, Bristol Rovers fought back with crucial strikes from A. Kilgour and E. Harrison, securing all three points.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Gillingham 1–2 Bristol Rovers
  • • Gillingham's R. Hale scored from a penalty in the 16th minute
  • • Bristol Rovers equalized through A. Kilgour in the 46th minute
  • • E. Harrison scored the winning goal for Bristol Rovers in the 72nd minute
  • • Gillingham's A. Little was sent off in the 90th minute (added time)

Lineups

Gillingham

Formation: 3-1-4-2

Starting XI

  • 25 Jake Turner (G)
  • 30 Sam Gale (D)
  • 39 Omar Beckles (D)
  • 5 Andy Smith (D)
  • 8 Armani Little (M)
  • 3 Max Clark (M)
  • 24 Harry Waldock (M)
  • 23 Bradley Dack (M)
  • 2 Remeao Hutton (M)
  • 9 Josh Andrews (F)
  • 38 Ronan Hale (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 Glenn Morris
  • 22 Shadrach Ogie
  • 7 Garath McCleary
  • 10 Jonathan Williams
  • 11 Aaron Rowe
  • 12 Sebastian Palmer-Houlden
  • 19 Sam Vokes

Bristol Rovers

Formation: 3-4-1-2

Starting XI

  • 13 Brad Young (G)
  • 17 Kofi Balmer (D)
  • 5 Alfie Kilgour (D)
  • 26 Riley Harbottle (D)
  • 2 Joel Senior (M)
  • 36 Richard Smallwood (M)
  • 6 Clinton Mola (M)
  • 3 Jack Sparkes (M)
  • 24 Tommy Leigh (F)
  • 29 Fabrizio Cavegn (F)
  • 19 Ellis Harrison (F)

Substitutes

  • 14 Kane Thompson-Sommers
  • 15 Ryan De Havilland
  • 11 Luke Thomas
  • 10 Yusuf Akhamrich
  • 1 Luke Southwood
  • 12 Tom Lockyer
  • 27 Joe Quigley

Timeline

  1. Gillingham
    16' Gillingham Goal · Penalty
    R. Hale
  2. Bristol Rovers
    34' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    T. Leigh

    Foul

  3. Gillingham
    35' Gillingham Card · Yellow Card
    H. Waldock

    Foul

  4. Bristol Rovers
    45' Bristol Rovers Card · Yellow Card
    A. Kilgour

    Foul

  5. Bristol Rovers
    46' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 1
    Off: R. Harbottle · On: Luke Thomas
  6. Bristol Rovers
    46' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 2
    Off: F. Cavegn · On: K. Thompson-Sommers
  7. Bristol Rovers
    46' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Leigh · On: Y. Akhamrich
  8. Bristol Rovers
    46' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Jack Sparkes · On: R. De Havilland
  9. Bristol Rovers
    46' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Kilgour · Assist: Y. Akhamrich
  10. Gillingham
    59' Gillingham subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Andy Smith · On: S. Ogie
  11. Gillingham
    71' Gillingham Card · Yellow Card
    R. Hutton

    Unsportsmanlike conduct

  12. Bristol Rovers
    72' Bristol Rovers Goal · Normal Goal
    E. Harrison
  13. Gillingham
    77' Gillingham subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Max Clark · On: S. Palmer-Houlden
  14. Gillingham
    77' Gillingham subst · Substitution 3
    Off: J. Andrews · On: S. Vokes
  15. Gillingham
    78' Gillingham subst · Substitution 4
    Off: H. Waldock · On: G. McCleary
  16. Bristol Rovers
    82' Bristol Rovers subst · Substitution 5
    Off: E. Harrison · On: Joe Quigley
  17. Gillingham
    89' Gillingham Card · Yellow Card
    A. Little

    Foul

  18. Gillingham
    90'+13 Gillingham Card · Yellow Card
    A. Little

    Foul

  19. Gillingham
    90'+13 Gillingham Card · Red Card
    A. Little

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Gillingham Bristol Rovers
Fouls 8 12
Pass Accuracy 60% 55%
Offsides 6 7
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 8 19
Corners 4 5
Total Passes 282 220
Yellow Cards 3 2
Blocked Shots 2 7
Shots on Target 3 8
xG — —
Shots off Target 3 4
Possession 54% 46%
Goals Prevented — —
Accurate Passes 168 120
Shots Inside Box 6 12
Saves 6 2
Shots Outside Box 2 7

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ The turning point came in the 46th minute when Bristol Rovers equalized through A. Kilgour, boosting their morale and momentum.
  • ▸ The red card given to Gillingham's A. Little in the 90th minute of added time sealed Bristol Rovers' victory, leaving Gillingham a man down in the closing minutes.