IAN Harte based the early part of his career, with Leeds and Ireland, on an ability to score from free-kicks.

Harte is now in his footballing twilight years and he hadn't scored from a free-kick this season. Until he came up against Gillingham, that is.

He scored a cracker, in the 41st minute, to give the home side a lead and converted a penalty seven minutes after the change round following a trip by Chris Palmer.

The two goals condemned Gills to their 13th defeat in 17 away games - they still haven't won on their travels - and they dropped to 18th in the table, two points above the drop zone but having played more than all but one of the teams below them.

The visitors did have their moments, however, like when Simeon Jackson screwed a shot wide from an angle early doors and when Darren Dennehy headed against the bar.

Having said that, United had plenty more opportunities to have turned a miserable afternoon into a disastrous one. That they didn't means morale won't necessarily be that messed up for next week's home game with play-offs chasing Huddersfield.