Town’s 100 per cent pre-season record ended with a 2-1 defeat at Gillingham, Danny Rowe pulling one back for the Blues after the home side had gone in front via a Tom Eaves penalty and Scott Wagstaff’s strike from distance.

Bartosz Bialkowski returned to the Town starting line-up having been ill for Tuesday’s game at Peterborough.

The starting XI featured 10 senior players plus midfielder Flynn Downes, who signed a new three-year contract earlier in the week having impressed manager Mick McCarthy during pre-season.

Adam Webster was named in the squad for the first time having overcome an ankle injury but there was no Cole Skuse, who is ill, and Teddy Bishop, who had picked up a knock.

Emyr Huws (calf) and Tom Adeyemi (illness) were again not involved, while Luke Hyam is also yet to play a part in any friendly having suffered an ankle injury towards the end of last season.

Former Blue Lee Martin skippered the League One Gills, who are managed by Ipswich-born Adrian Pennock.

Freddie Sears wasn’t too far away from opening the scoring at a blustery Priestfield Stadium in the third minute with a cross-shot which Gillingham’s 6ft 8in tall keeper Tomas Holy uncomfortably managed to tip over.

The Blues started strongly, moving the ball around slickly with Grant Ward on the right getting the better of his man on a couple of occasions.

Town almost went in front on a number of occasions on the quarter hour. First Garner saw an effort blocked from a corner, then his subsequent strike from the rebound was well saved by Holy. Kevin Bru returned the ball into the box and Sears turned it just wide.

On 21 Bru shot wide from distance, then two minutes later Jordan Spence hit a shot from distance straight at Holy.

Town continued to push for the opening goal and in the 25th minute Holy saved from Bru after exchanging passes with impressive new loanee Bersant Celina, who was regularly drifting inside from the left, and then Ward’s subsequent strike was blocked.

Gillingham went close to going in front with their first shot of the game in the 28th minute. Skipper Luke Chambers lost out to Gills striker Eaves as they battled for a bouncing ball on the edge of the box. Eaves spotted Bialkowski off his line and tried a lob by the Polish keeper got back to push the ball past the post.

The home side threatened again in the 32nd minute when Josh Parker chased a Martin long ball and turned inside Chambers before being thwarted by a combination of Tommy Smith and Downes.

Joe Garner claimed a penalty just before the break when Luke O’Neill’s momentum carried him into the Town striker as he took a ball down with his chest but referee Craig Hicks wasn’t interested.

Town had dominated most of the half - although the Gills had had a decent spell not long before half-time - and had a number of chances to make their superiority count, most notably when they had the succession of opportunities in the 15th minute.

While the players warmed up ahead of the second half a storm erupted and rain fell heavily before stopping prior to kick-off.

Six minutes after the restart the home side were awarded a penalty. Ex-Blue Martin went to ground rather easily as he took the ball past his former team-mate Chambers on the right of the Town area and referee Hicks pointed to the spot. Eaves sent Bialkowski the wrong way from the spot to give the home side the lead.

The Blues had started to regain their earlier ascendency before the traditional succession of second-half pre-season substitutions began in the 65th minute when Danny Rowe replaced Ward.

A minute later, Celina went within an inch or so of equalising, taking the ball down on the left before cutting inside and hitting a shot which beat Holy and scuffed the outside of his left post.

On 67 a ball over the top hit Sears on his back with the former West Ham man otherwise through on goal. Four minutes later, the other nine outfield players were switched.

After Bialkowski had saved Billy Bingham’s freekick, the home side made six changes of their own.

In the 77th minute the Gills doubled their lead. Wagstaff brought the ball in from the right before hitting a superb strike beyond Bialkowski and into the top corner of the net.

Two minutes later, the Blues pulled a goal back. Conor McKendry crossed from the right and Rowe nodded home at the far post.

Town went looking for an equaliser and on 80 Kenlock broke through into the area before hitting a shot which deflected off a defender into sub keeper Stuart Nelson’s arms. That proved to be the final chance of the match.

The scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the game with the Blues having been well on top for most of the first half but without finding a goal.

The penalty just after half-time was rather soft, then the Gills’ excellent second came after both sides had changed most of their players.

While results aren’t the most important aspect of pre-season games, manager Mick McCarthy will still have wanted his side’s winning friendly run to have continued as the Blues move into their final games ahead of the season proper.

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, Ehmer, Zakuani, Wagstaff, Eaves, Martin (c), Ogilvie, Parker, Bingham, Byrne. Unused: Nelson, Garmston, Chapman, Cundle, O’Mara, Nash, Wright.

Town: Bialkowski, Spence (Iorfa 71), Chambers (c) (C Smith 71), T Smith (Webster 71), Knudsen (Kenlock 71), Ward (Rowe 65), Bru (McDonnell 71), Downes (Nydam 71), Celina (Morris 71), Garner (McGoldrick 71), Sears (McKendry 71). Unused: Gerken, Patterson, Fowler, McLoughlin, Crowe.

Photos: PagePix

Lathers added 17:57 - Jul 22 I know Mick hates pre season so this probably explains why very little effort seems to go in to selecting our friendly opponents. Playing league one and two teams is just setting himself up for abuse when we inevitably lose a game and not getting the lads playing at the required level. Plus it would be nice for the fans to play a decent European or Prem team. Colchester and Charlton to come... And then into a very tough Championship season. It's great to be prepared!

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brian_a_mul added 17:58 - Jul 22 Interesting that Downes played with a senior starting 11. MM seems to be integrating him in to his senior first team :)
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essextractorboy93 added 18:03 - Jul 22 Standard over reaction on here as expected. Same for every side in our league who lose a pre season game to a League 1 or 2 team. I bet the vast majority posting weren't at the game so have absolutely no idea how we actually performed and are just basing their opinions on the scoreline. Still feel we need another striker or two in before the season starts, expect deals to be done in late August though as Premier League sides let players go out on loan etc

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Surco72 added 18:05 - Jul 22 12th man ...all the blubbers were proved right last season after poor pre season against lower opposition and predicting a low league position saying the squad wasn't good enough even though our highly paid manager said it was the best he had at Town . This year the squad is weaker again as we have lost our best defender , midfielder and finisher and still haven't replaced Murphy . But more to the point our manager is inept at changing the game if we go behind with his one game plan

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Binner added 18:12 - Jul 22 "...Danny Rowe netting an equaliser..." Is that on the 'away goals count double' rule?
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StowTractorBoy added 18:15 - Jul 22 The best town player on the pitch today was Flynn Downes who was full of energy and did not waste a ball. There was some good football from us but absolutely no end product. Sears missed a sitter and a half chance but beginning to wonder if he is up to it.Chambers is a worry and looked very slow today. Garner was hard working but never looked like scoring. Ward was speedy but little end product and Celina showed touches of class and can beat a man. I came away quite worried on that showing. I know it's only a friendly but our defence looked shaky and the attack toothless. A recipe for a struggle ahead. Let's hope it improves but more new faces needed especially a tall target man and a berra type centre back as smith and chambers partnership did not work. I bit worrying but things can change quickly i hope.

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Crock added 18:19 - Jul 22 Booooo! Mick out!
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Seasider added 18:42 - Jul 22 Reality check. I noticed that towards the end of last season, our Captain started to make more mistakes, and had slowed down.Never a good passer thought following his close season op he might improve. Didn't seem to do very well today, so will see how he gets on as the season progresses Personally think that Chambers and Skues, automatic starters
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Seasider added 18:48 - Jul 22 Reality check. I noticed that towards the end of last season, our Captain started to make more mistakes, and had slowed down.Never a good passer thought following his close season op he might improve. Didn't seem to do very well today, so will see how he gets on as the season progresses Personally think that Chambers and Skues, automatic starters during McCarthy's 5 years, at 30 plus; should no longer be guaranteed a place in the team this season. I wonder if Mick will be of the same opinion?

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warktheline added 18:50 - Jul 22 @seasider,banker that pal! Chambers plays no matter what! Jeez, McCarthy played him out of position for ever and a day, to accommodate his 'cozy club', and of course Skuse will start, no matter who lines up along side him! At least this season it won't be Douglas!
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irishtim added 18:53 - Jul 22 Funny warktheline performances seem to suggest we are trying to play footie. Give it a break.
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christiand added 19:19 - Jul 22 Difficult to read too much into a result like that, I think a few of us are still concerned after last season's showing and are naturally apprehensive. However, we need to remember we had quite a few players out through illness and injury today. Pre season is about getting the players match fit and gelling as a side. Seems like some encouraging signs in the first half, roll on Colchester United on Tuesday.

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ArnieM added 19:43 - Jul 22 Not sure this match report can comment on the first half especially and not mention an absolutely awesome little player who pulled all the strings in midfield for us. Thank God we have Downes on a 3 yr deal. Trust me this kid is already streets ahead of Dozzell and Bishop.
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warktheline added 19:44 - Jul 22 @irishtim, you give it a break! Strangely silent over last season or so, another blinkered McCarthy can't do no wrong supporter!
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howdonblue added 19:45 - Jul 22 After getting slated on here the other day would anyone like to talk about the new centre forward we need ? Has the Mick love in finished now guys Just saying
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ArnieM added 19:57 - Jul 22 I think smartarse , " I told you so" posts lack class and are unnecessary. But if it makes you feel better carry on.
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howdonblue added 19:59 - Jul 22 Told you so or not we need that target man Arnie ! FACT
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BlueandTruesince82 added 19:59 - Jul 22 It's amazing how converts are always the most zelous
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howdonblue added 20:03 - Jul 22 Look here friends I have been supporting this club since 1974 and I'll have my opinion like it or not ! Goodnight
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ArnieM added 21:11 - Jul 22 Good night. I've been going to PR since 1968. So maybe my opinion has equal weight?
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PhilTWTD added 21:19 - Jul 22 Binner I meant pulled one back, obviously. Amended.
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howdonblue added 21:21 - Jul 22 Yes arnie your opinion does mate as does everyone's of our years supporting our club No problem
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KiwiTractor added 22:38 - Jul 22 It sounds like Chambers was once again a liability. It's going to be a long old season with him at the back.
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ArnieM added 22:58 - Jul 22 I said to my mate atbtgr game yofay. Our weakest players are niw in.the defence. Chambers ( lack of pace) Knudsen ( poor left back) Smith ( too one dimensional and a limited footballer) the team's hoofer. But best headerer of the ball. Spence wasbdoild today Webster s stylish CB......we need another like him
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WadeyBlue added 23:21 - Jul 22 I was there today and we controlled the play in the first half and played like we wanted it. Which unfortunately makes it all the more worrying that we never really made clear cut chances and didnt score. Up to the 18 yard box though some of the football was quality and we kept it on the floor. For me the player who i think who may just havr an outstanding season if he continues to improve at the rate he has over the last 6 months is Jordan Spence...

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