Rangers chalked up their first league win of the season with a battling performance against Gillingham in front of the Sky cameras. For just about the first time this season they saw some luck go there way with a winner that could be best described as dubious. Oh well, a win is a win is a win!

Many had hoped that Holloway would keep the attacking look that had worked well against Swansea in midweek; it was not to be though. Day remained in goal behind a back four of Bignot, Forbes, Santos and Padula. Rowlands, Bean, Johnson and Cook were in midfield to support a strike pairing of Gallen and Furlong.

The game began with the teams exchanging half chances, gummy Iwan Roberts shot straight at Day before Furlong sent a low shot skimming wide of Steve Banks’ goal. The impressive Matthew Jarvis was next to try his luck but he could only fizz one across the six yard box when a better ball would have found Roberts in space at the far post.

The match was quickly becoming focused on a mammoth battle between Roberts and big Georges Santos. The much maligned Frenchman was really stepping up to the plate and this encounter was reminiscent of Mick Harford/Alan McDonald battle from years ago. No quarter was asked and none given as the two big men went at it and thankfully, without too much censorship from referee Thorpe.

Rangers came within a hairs breadth of taking the lead when Richard Johnson released Cookie on the left. The wiry winger hurtled toward the box before unleashing a rasping drive that beat Banks all end up but cannoned out of play off of his right hand post. Rangers wouldn’t have to wait for much longer though before taking the lead in controversial circumstances.

From our vantage point in the grandly names Brian Moore Temporary Stand (how proud his family must be…) it was hard to see what had happened. The ball seemed to go into the keepers vicinity via Rowlands before an almighty shamozzle ensued that ended with Beany palming the ball over the line. Keeper Banks chased the ref to the halfway line in protest but to no avail and Marcus Bean was celebrating his first “goal” of the season. It was no less than an action packed display from the midfield battleship deserved.

Only moments later Rangers should have been awarded a penalty when Jonno was felled in the box but the ref was never going to give that after dropping the ball for the goal. You could argue that it was some sort of justice for both teams in that instance. The incidents were all too much for the Lego man look-a-like tosspot Andy Hessenthaler who showed all the composure of a three year old as he threw yet another tantrum. He was rightly booked and was lucky not to be sent off later in the game for an off the ball attack on Gallen. How this man can command the respect of his players is beyond me, the fella is an absolute tool.

Rangers started the brighter of the two teams in the second half as they looked to build on their fortuitous 1-0 lead. Furs went close with a header before Bean and Cook made a mess of a swift break from midfield. Gillingham kept on going though and began to crank up the pressure as Rangers started to sink ever deeper into their own half.

Day had to be at his best to produce a stunning stop from Danny Spiller and Rangers had their second bit of luck soon after as Roberts had a goal chalked off for offside. I am not sure what gumbo was complaining about as I could see that he was well offside from the other end of the field. Olly was forced into a change early in the half when Forbes picked up a knock and had to be replaced by Richard Edghill. The former Manchester City skipper slotted in alongside Georges and they immediately set about doing a number on Roberts and his new strike partner Patrick Agyemang.

It was real backs to the wall stuff now and Rangers had to switch to a 4-5-1 formation in an effort to deny some of the space Gillingham were beginning to revel in. Legs were getting tired now and Bircham and Cureton were thrown into the fray in place of Johnson and Cook. The game was now being played largely inside the Rangers area with Santos leading his back four like a lion. His opposite number Barry Ashby went close twice with well struck efforts as the nerves began to jangle.

John Hills slammed a freekick into the wall as the game neared its death throws and Lego man Hessenthaler even tried to hurl himself into the box in an effort to con the ref into awarding the latest of penalties. He only got a freekick and the delivery was poor as Gillingham’s last hope of getting something from the game disappeared.

As the whistle blew there was joy unbridled on both the pitch and in the Brian Moore Temporary Stand. It felt like a weight had been lifted from everybody’s shoulders as the burden of getting that first win was gone. We now have to make sure we build on this and with players returning and the possibility of a move into the loan market things are looking a lot rosier this morning.

Everybody did their bit last night. Day was commanding, the back four were solid, particularly Santos and Edghill when he came on. The midfield worked hard in both attack and defence and the front pair did a lot of running without seeing much ball in the second half. I was delighted for Beany with his goal as he does so much unsung work that a lot of people either don’t see or refuse to acknowledge, maybe this will give him a little time in the limelight which he deserves.

Sheffield United on Tuesday night will be another huge test and they will be coming to LR looking to turn us over. If we can show some of the resilience that we showed at Priestfield then we will give ourselves a bloody good chance of picking up another three points.

simon@qprnet.com