Gillingham 0-2 Newport County: Omar Bogle bags two penalties to ease pressure
- Published
Newport were awarded a second penalty after a foul on Matty Bondswell
Newport County ended their four-game winless streak in League Two to dent Gillingham's promotion push.
The visitors led early through two Omar Bogle penalties, the first conceded after he was fouled by goalkeeper Jake Turner, before Matty Bondswell was shoved off the ball by Cheye Alexander.
Connor Mahoney was unlucky not to pull one back when he hit the crossbar.
Jonny Williams had another great chance for the Gills, but was denied by Shane McLoughlin's fantastic sliding tackle.
Following the opening goal, referee Tom Reeves needed to speak to both managers and the players after it appeared that a Gillingham supporter had rushed to pitchside to racially abuse Bogle.
After the incident, Gillingham FC Supporters' Club posted on X,, external formerly Twitter: "Disgusting behaviour which has no place in football and at Priestfield. Lifetime ban needed."
Newport County also issued a statement that condemned the "racist gesture", adding that "the EFL (English Football League) has confirmed that the individual has been identified and arrested".
The defeat sees Gillingham drop out of the play-off places, while the Exiles rise to 19th.
Newport manager Graham Coughlan said:
"They (the players) were magnificent today, even the young lads the way they managed the game I'm really proud of them. Let's be honest it was a big, big win for us and we needed it.
"(Omar Bogle) was a real handful all afternoon and he's got that in his locker... I think he should have got a hat-trick in fairness to him. I wouldn't like to have to play against him when he's in that mood, he works his socks off - credit to him."
On the abuse of Bogle by Gillingham fans, Coughlan added: "It's not nice, it's distasteful, there's no place in the game.
"I've competed against Gillingham for years and years and I don't think that represents the true Gillingham Football Club, I think that's just one or two mindless (supporters) and it's certainly a minority and it doesn't represent the club or the people, or the fans because it's a magnificent club.
"We can't tarnish the good name of this football club because of one or two mindless idiots really. They'll be dealt with by the authorities and they dealt with it swiftly, they dealt with it cool, calm and collectedly and fair play to them, and we thank them for that."