Gillingham 4 Rotherham 0

Gillingham made it three wins in a row on Saturday with a convincing victory over Rotherham at Priestfield.

Simon King?s first-half header opened the scoring and against 10-man Rotherham, who had midfielder Danny Harrison sent-off in the first half, they cruised to victory with second-half strikes from Adam Miller, Garry Richards and Luis Cumbers.

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The Gills made a great start to the match when King?s header from Nicky Southall?s free-kick went in off the crossbar with six minutes gone.

John Nutter came close to doubling the lead when his chip went narrowly over after Southall?s corner had been punched clear by keeper Andy Warrington.

Gillingham?s hopes of taking the points were improved when United midfielder Harrison was shown a straight red following a challenge on Barry Fuller after 35 minutes.

Moments earlier Simon Royce, back in the side at the expense of Alan Julian, had to be at his best to deflect Nick Fenton?s close-range volley over the bar.

A pulsating first half was brought to a close when Royce again produced a great block, this time saving from Mark Hudson, whose powerful shot was claimed at the second attempt.

King was thankful to referee Richard Beeby at the start of the second half, when striker Reuben Reid got past him, but went down with just the keeper to beat. The official decided that King made no contact and Beeby showed the visiting striker a yellow card for diving.

With 58 minutes gone the Gills went 2-0 ahead with a move started and finished by Miller. The Gills midfielder threaded a through ball to Mark McCammon, his shot was blocked by keeper Warrington and Miller slotted home the loose ball.

Mark Bentley had a header blocked on the line midway through the half but Rotherham remained a threat and Drewe Broughton nearly pulled one back within a minute of coming onto the field. His header was tipped onto the bar by Royce.

Goal number three came on 78 minutes when Richards turned home John Nutter?s cross from close range. Nutter was the provider again for the fourth as substitute Luis Cumbers scored his first for the club ? just three minutes after coming on.

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson said: ?It was a very good performance against a good side.

?I said before the game they would probably give us our hardest game this year and they didn?t disappoint but we came up with the right answers. It was a very good performance.?

Stimson felt the dismissal of Harrison was harsh but claimed the referee also missed a big decision for his side.

?If Mark (Robins) needs my backing to get the player off the red card then he?s got it,? he said.

?The referee did miss one a minute later when there was a blatant penalty for us. No shadow of a doubt.

?It would have been a big decision to give us a penalty because that would have meant their goalkeeper being sent off as well. He sat on the fence and the fourth official sat there with him.?

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, King, Richards, Bentley, Jackson (Jarrett 81mins), Southall, Miller, Weston (McCammon 46mins), Barcham (Cumbers 85mins). Subs not used: Julian, Mills.

Rotherham: Warrington, Tonge, Harrison, Sharps, Fenton, Cummins, Reid (Yates 78mins), Mills, Barker (Broughton 75mins), Nicholas, Garcia (Hudson 40mins). Subs not used: Annerson, Joseph.

Attendance: 5,304