Cheers from the away support as Gillingham goalkeeper Jake Turner tries to send one forward but it sails into touch.

Gillingham have lost just one of their past seven league games against Crawley Town (W4 D2), though it did come during their most recent meeting back in December 2023.

Crawley are just starting to settle into the game now. They work it into the area but midfielder Jay Williams is adjudged to have made a foul on Gillingham's Bradley Dack and the move breaks down.

Peter Lloyd
BBC Radio Kent

Crawley look creative, and neat with their passing but there seems to be a weakness in their defence.

I think we can overpower them.

That was a real moment of promise there on the break for Crawley, and credit to referee Paul Howard who played a good advantage in the build-up after a foul in the middle of the park on a Crawley player.

Ben Watts
BBC Radio Kent

At the moment this is total football...

It's good to watch.

Crawley launch a rapid counter-attack and Josh Flint races into the box on the right.

Flint gets away a shot from the angle but Jake Turner is out of his goal quickly to make an excellent save.

Gareth Ainsworth is watching his Gillingham side with intent from the stands after returning having recovered from heart surgery.

A positive start by the hosts, who have been camped in the Crawley half in the opening four minutes.

Gillingham win an early free-kick on halfway and play it quick to Garath McCleary on the right. His cross is overhit but the Gills retain possession and go again... in comes another cross and this time Joe Wollacott is out of his goal to claim for Crawley.

Away we go at Priestfield.

Gillingham start the evening in 10th but could climb to fifth and into the play-off spots with a win.

Crawley, who are 21st, are aiming to move up to 18th with victory.

Image source, Opta

Gareth Ainsworth makes two changes to the line-up for Gillingham from their 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Bradley Dack and Garath McCleary come in for Elliott Nevitt and Seb Palmer-Houlden.

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey makes three changes from their 2-1 win over Fleetwood last time out in League Two.

Geraldo Bajrami, Harry Forster and Jay Williams all come into the side.

Ben Radcliffe, Scott Malone and Kaheim Dixon all make way and none of that trio are in the matchday squad.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Rex Features

Gillingham fans must be experiencing a bit of de ja vu.

Just like last season, the Gills came out the traps, winning six of their opening eight matches to sit unbeaten at the top of the pile.

And just like last season, a dismal run of form has followed to see them slide down the table.

But Gareth Ainsworth’s side did arrest a run of five games without a win (D1 L4) courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory at struggling Bristol Rovers last weekend and they're still firmly in the promotion mix.

Under the lights at Priestfield this evening, it will be boss Ainsworth's first game back on home soil since recovering from heart surgery, though he won't be in the dugout and is watching from the stands.

Image source, PA Media

Just 10 days ago, Crawley Town owner Raphael Khalili said he wants to build a "serious club" and is already targeting making them "Championship ready".

The Red Devils have got a fair way to go to reach those lofty heights but a third consecutive win for the first time this season would be a good start.

Back-to-back home victories over Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood ended a five-game winless streak (D1 L4) and lifted Scott Lindsey's side out of the relegation zone, though they're just one point clear of danger.

Crawley's away form has left a lot to be desired, though, with only one win from seven on the road so far this season (D1 L5) and they'll need to focus on EFL survival first before they can start dreaming of promotion.

Image source, Opta

• Gillingham have lost just one of their past seven league games against Crawley Town (W4 D2), though it came during their last meeting in December 2023 (0-2).
• Crawley Town’s prior five away league games against Gillingham are perfectly split, with both sides winning two matches each and the other ending in a draw. Only one of those five fixtures has seen both sides score.
• This season in League Two, Gillingham are playing 29.7% of their passes long in total – the most in the competition – whilst Crawley’s percentage in the same category sits at just 13.6% - the lowest of any side.
• Crawley’s Josh Flint ranks fourth in League Two this season for most duels won (130), whilst he also leads his teammates for aerial duels won (71) and times winning possession (61 – joint with Dion Conroy).

Image source, Opta/Rex Features

Stockport remain top of this frankly ridiculous division by virtue of goals scored.

Lincoln's see-saw win over Doncaster took them level on points and goal difference, though they have now played a game more than County.

Luton edged up to eight after their stalemate at home to Rotherham, who are up to 11th, and who are joined in the top-half by upwardly mobile Burton, 1-0 winners over Blackpool.

The Tangerines are just a point ahead of Port Vale, who drew 0-0 with Wycombe, who are now only ahead of Leyton Orient on goal difference after the O's beat Exeter 2-1 to move away from the drop zone and leave the Grecians firmly looking over their shoulder.

Image source, Opta/Rex Features

Swindon Town move top of League Two despite being held to a draw at Fleetwood thanks to Colchester's 2-0 win at Walsall, who drop to second.

MK Dons picked up an excellent victory over Salford to move into the automatic promotion spots.

Notts County couldn't capitalise on the chance to go top as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Harrogate, while Chesterfield moved up to sixth with a 1-0 win over promotion rivals Grimsby.

At the other end, Cheltenham drop into the relegation zone after a 3-2 defeat at Tranmere, while Shrewsbury move out of the bottom two thanks to their 1-0 win over bottom side Newport County.

Image source, Shutterstock

The scoreline is a bit difficult to stomach for Salford who will feel that the penalty award was harsh (correct) and that they had chances to score themselves (again correct).

But a penalty from Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and a cool finish from Callum Paterson when the visitors were upfield chasing the game separates the sides.

MK Dons regain the winning thread after two matches without a win. Salford slump to a first defeat in four.

Kane Thompson-Summers has a massive chance to seal the three points for MK Dons but Matt Young is equal to his shot.

It remains 1-0 with two minutes to go.

I have no idea how, but it's ended goalless.

Fred Onyedinma and Sam Bell struck the woodwork for the visitors either side of the break while Cauley Woodrow was denied by Vale keeper Joe Gauci, while at the other end Will Norris made a stunning save to keep out a brilliant dipping volley from Rhys Walters.

That's four games without a goal for Vale, but they gave it a good go and have at least ended their three-match losing run.

Jimmy Walker
Former Lincoln City goalkeeping coach on BBC Radio Lincolnshire

All that matters is that we have got the three points. We head into December riding really high, and all is looking rosy.

Francis Okoronkwo will have nightmares for weeks after that miss though!