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With Driss Diallo returning from injury at the expense of gone West, his was a welcome return to the home defence and alongside Branch the two combined well, snuffing out the minimal threat offered from Gillingham's tame front line in which the lively Shaw and the gangly Sidibe offered little.
Full back berths were occupied by Gnohere and McGregor giving Clarets a largely untested defensive line up. In what was largely a lifeless game, spoiled throughout by a rock hard pitch and swirling breeze, the two sides played out the game at half pace, the game a quarter of an hour old before the first serious shot at goal was seen and this a long range shot from Spiller who had Nico at Fullstretchedos to the well struck effort.
Clarets first opening created a good chance for Weller from McGregor's cross, but his header was poorly directed and 105 year old Bartram had little difficulty collecting the goal bound attempt. Clarets were in the ascendancy for most of the half and Davis' clever right footed shot and Taylor's header just wide of the mark, half way through the half at least serving as opening entertainment before Clarets took the lead on the half hour.
O'Neill's long throw was poorly dealt with by a flapping Bartram, the loose ball headed back by Moore for Taylor to sweetly volley home from ten yards for his fifteenth goal of the season. In reply, Gillingham were in singular dimensional mode, the largely aimless high balls to Sidibe proving easy fodder for Clarets rearguard, though Diallo and Branch remained focused and well timed in their tackles, both making last ditched efforts to clear threats leading up to half time.
Just prior to the break and a twinged hamstring saw Weller limp from the field making way for Chaplow as Stan further reduced the average age of the squad with a very youthful left sided midfield supporting Davis in the engine room.
Into the second and the only real threat in the half was from O'Neill's long, low and well directed throws, the back post well within the range of the youngster. From the first such throw in the half came the second and crucial goal. Everyone stood in awe of the low trajectory except for a thankful Diallo who glanced home a well directed header into the far side of goal well beyond Bartram's despairing dive.
Gills' tried an immediate response and Spiller carried the main threat. His was an intelligent move and having beaten McGregor and Branch, his powerful dipping shot was superbly tipped away by Nicos Underworkedos.
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Att:- 14,031 of which 76% attended.
Star Greedy
Robbie Blake. Whilst his dribbling and close control skills are without doubt, his over elaboration and unwillingness to master the simple pass undo all is good work. Coupled with a desire to knock the Clarets youngsters off the ball and take over possession, his is a selfish role far removed from the team effort required.
Glass Half Empty
Whilst any win is a welcome event, with the Clarets having little to play for other than professional pride, this is a season where the end cannot come soon enough the enjoyment from an afternoon on the Turf long since gone.
Star Geezer
Graham Branch. This season's most improved player continued to shine, this time in central defensive role, where his timing of intervention and clever distribution provided a solid display at the heart of defence.
Glass Half Full
Clarets put paid to a Gillingham side who have proved to be a bit of a bogey side over the last few seasons, the win quite comfortable and enabling Stan to remain optimistic of a top half finish to the season.