Pools suffered heartache in Kent as they once again came away from a game empty-handed despite dominating large periods of their visit to Priestfield.

Gillingham, as is so often the way when a new Manager is appointed, looked a different side to the one convincingly beaten at The Vic earlier this month as they set out their stall early in the game.

The Gills looked like a side with a point to prove as they put in a more solid and determined first half display to take a 1-0 lead into the break.

Although chances on goal were few and far between in the opening forty-five, Gillingham looked the stronger team going forward, playing some good flowing football and Pools were forced to work hard in defence.

Ronnie Jepson's side took the lead after only ten minutes of play when Neill Harris used his pace down the right to carve out an opening. The striker squared the ball back into the area where the lively Paul Shields fired it towards goal and, despite the best efforts of the covering Pools' defence, the ball sneaked in at the far post to give The Gills the lead.

Pools sparked into life midway through the half when Thomas Butler, who was closely marked throughout the match, was brought down just outside the area, With the midfielder clearly aggrieved by the challenge, the incident seemed to give Pools a kick as they went on to create their best chance of the half.

A Ritchie Humphreys' corner from the right hand side found Michael Nelson in space on the edge of the area and, although the defender mis-kicked his initial volley, he did well to control the ball and lift it back into the area. Nelson's ball found Jon Daly at the far post but his powerful header landed on the roof of the net as Pools struggled to find their way back into the game.

Although both sides had few real chances in the opening forty-five, Gillingham did have the ball in the net late into the first half but the Assistant Referee was quick with his flag to rule out Neil Harris' effort.

Pools looked a better side after the break as they pushed forward in search of an equaliser and it was high-scoring midfielder Antony Sweeney who went desperately close

Butler played a great ball forward for Humphreys to run onto and the left-back matched the effort to pick out Sweeney in the area. The midfielder got himself into good space to power a header at goal but Tony Bullock in the home goal blocked well. Michael Maidens reacted quickest to hit the rebound but once again Bullock blocked well. The rebound then found Mark Tinkler on the edge of the area but the midfielder's fierce strike was collected comfortably by The Gills' keeper.

With the introduction of Darren Byfield giving the home side a boost, Pools were forced to defend for periods but with Michael Nelson and Neill Collins in determined mood, they could find no way through.

Pools had numerous chances in the second period with Nelson heading agonisingly close from a Humphreys' corner and Humphreys powering over the bar with a strong effort from 25-yards out.

Defender Andrew Crofts blocked well as new loan man Dean McDonald set up to fire at goal and Collins saw his effort from close range blocked by the keeper.

Pools looked set to equalise as Steven Istead, replacing Michael Maidens on the right, did well to pick out the arriving Thomas Butler at the far post but just as it looked as if the midfielder was set to fire home, he mis-kicked his effort and saw the ball trickle wide of the left post.

This was the last part that Butler was to play in the game as, having already received his first yellow of the game in the first-half incident, the Irishman was shown his second card for a challenge on Matthew Jarvis.

Pools launched a late onslaught on the Gillingham goal with Humphreys and Daly having chances but it was not to be as The Gills held on.

With Martin Scott's men down to ten men, the home side got forward themselves with Byfield hitting over the bar late on and Danny Spiller firing wide when he looked set to score but the game finished 1-0 as Ronnie Jepson's side bagged the three points in his first game in charge.

Pools will now have to pick themselves up for next weekend's trip to Bradford City as they look to get back to winning ways in League One action.

Att: 6092

Gillingham: Bullock, Cox, Hope (Collin 46), Johnson, Williams, Spiller, Jarvis, Crofts, Smith, Harris (Jackman, 69), Shields (Byfield, 57)

Subs Not Used: Crichton, Saunders.

Pools: Konstantopoulos, Tinkler (Clark, 90), Nelson, Humphreys, E Williams (McDonald, 53), Daly, Sweeney, D Williams, Butler, Collins, Maidens (Istead, 66)

Subs Not Used: Brackstone, Provett.