Danny Kedwell is congratulated after scoring the promotion-winning goal against Torquay. Picture: Barry Goodwin.

by Luke Cawdell

A goal from Danny Kedwell was enough for Gillingham to claim victory on Saturday and a place in League 1.

Gills’ leading scorer put his side ahead early in the second half and his goal proved enough.

Torquay hit the woodwork either side of the break, but were unable to get on the scoresheet.

Gillingham went into the match knowing victory, along with either Rotherham or Northampton failing to win, would seal promotion. Their five previous promotions in the Football League came in 1964, 1974, 1996, 2000 and 2009.

Northampton’s 1-0 defeat at Bradford and Rotherham’s 2-1 loss to Morecambe meant three points at Priestfield was enough to seal a promotion that had been long on the cards.

Boss Martin Allen made two changes to his starting line-up, with Bradley Dack replacing the injured Anton Robinson in midfield, while Adam Birchall took over up front from Deon Burton.

Charlie Lee (ill) and Andy Frampton (suspended) were back in the squad and on the bench, while youth forward Kane Haysman was included in the 18.

The Gills made a bright start and dominated the opening 20 minutes, although Torquay probably came the closest to scoring when a rare early sight at goal saw Rene Howe hit a post.

Kedwell had seen several efforts blocked by keeper Martin Rice, while Adam Birchall struck the top of the bar from distance. Rice also tipped Steve Gregory’s long-range shot over.

As the match wore on Torquay came more into the game. A corner late in the half saw big defender Aaron Downes with a free header, but he put the chance over the bar.

Gillingham ended the half having had 14 attempts with nothing to show for their efforts. However, within three minutes of the second half starting, they had the goal they craved when a cross-field ball from the left picked out Kedwell and he smashed the ball across Rice for his 15th of the season.

Andy Frampton, who had only been on the pitch for several minutes, almost hit a second but smashed his shot into the side-netting. Chris Whelpdale also forced a save from Rice on the hour.

Charlie Allen stabbed a chance wide with 15 minutes left after Kedwell had done well to force his way into the box. Moments later Whelpdale forced another save from Rice and the ball rebounded off visiting defender Kevin Nicholson before bouncing just wide.

Torquay hit the woodwork for the second time, with four minutes left, when Nicholson’s thunderous shot bounced off the bar.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Legge, Barrett, Martin, Gregory, Whelpdale, Allen (Lee 86mins), Dack (Frampton 53mins), Birchall (Burton 72mins), Kedwell. Subs not used: Forecast, Haysman, East, Davies.

Torquay: Rice, Oastler, Nicholson, Downes, Saah, Lathrope (Benyon 64mins), Mansell, Morris, Bodin, Chapell (Jarvis 64mins), Howe. Subs not used: MacDonald, Craig, Cruise, Yeoman, Thompson.

Attendance: 7,574.