Gillingham 2 Huddersfield 0

TWO Simeon Jackson goals secured Gills a crucial victory over promotion contenders Huddersfield - and eased their League 1 relegation fears.

Jackson's opening strike came on seven minutes and with Huddersfield down to 10 players after Nathan Ecclestone was sent off for a two-footed challenge on Stuart Lewis just before the half-hour mark, the home side always looked to be on a winner.

Even more so when Jackson raced away to pot his and his team's second within half-a-minute of the restart.

He was denied a hat-trick only by a cracking save, but will be more delighted that the win lifted Gills five points clear of the relegation zone.

Most of those below have a game or two in hand, true, but with basement outfit Stockport to come, next Saturday, manager Mark Stimson will be looking for the gap to grow bigger before his side goes into a particularly tough run-in.

Full report in Thursday's News.