Gillingham 1-2 Cardiff

On-loan striker Lee Bullock celebrates scoring Cardiff's winner

Lee Bullock's late winner boosted Cardiff's play-off hopes but left Gillingham in deep relegation trouble.

The striker, on loan from York, headed home in the 86th minute to put the Welsh side ahead for the second time.

Wales striker Rob Earnshaw missed a penalty, although he made amends for Cardiff with a close-range header.

Chris Hope then headed Gillingham level, but Alan Pouton missed a second equaliser when he fluffed a late penalty after Bullock had struck.

Cardiff missed the chance to take an early lead shortly after the quarter-hour mark when Leon Johnson brought down Alan Lee in the area.

Earnshaw struck his spot-kick well, but home goalkeeper Steve Banks guessed correctly and palmed the ball to safety.

The Gills, buoyed by Banks' save, hit back with some pressure of their own as Mamady Sidibe flashed a header inches wide and Gary Wales side-footed wide.

The Bluebirds made a deserved breakthrough in the 36th minute when Parry took the ball around Banks and tried a shot.

But Earnshaw stole in to nod into an empty net from six yards - his fifth goal against Gillingham this season and his 27th of the campaign.

Cardiff were dealt a blow at the start of the second half, with defender Danny Gabbidon limping out of the action to be replaced by Chris Barker.

Gillingham had made a bright start and were rewarded just before the hour as Hope rose highest to head home a Nicky Southall corner.

Bullock, on loan from Third Division York, came on with 10 minutes remaining and it took him just six minutes to make an impact by heading past a stranded Banks.

From the kick-off, Wales tangled with Barker in the box, and referee Mike Thorpe once again awarded a spot-kick.

Pouton failed to deal with the pressure, however, and sent his kick past the post.

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Gillingham: Banks, Southall, Hope, Leon Johnson, Rose, Hessenthaler, Pouton, Spiller, Wales, Agyemang, Sidibe. Subs: Cox, Bossu, Crofts, Jarvis, Beckwith.

Cardiff: Margetson, Vidmar, Gabbidon, Collins, Croft, Robinson, Whalley, Langley, Parry, Earnshaw, Lee. Subs: Gordon, Campbell, Barker, Bullock, Alexander.

Referee: M Thorpe (Suffolk).