Colby Bishop and Dion Charles scored the goals as Accrington claimed their sixth win in nine League One games with a 2-0 victory over Gillingham last night.

Off the back of their first league defeat since mid-October against Wigan on Saturday, Stanley were denied an early opener when Connor Ogilvie blocked Harvey Rodgers’ low shot.

Two minutes after former Blackburn Rovers striker Dominic Samuel was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after suffering a serious-looking injury, his Gillingham strike partner Vadaine Oliver narrowly missed the target with an acrobatic overhead kick.

Bishop put Stanley in front a minute before the break however as he met Rodgers’ corner and headed past Jack Bonham for his third league goal of the season and fifth in all competitions.

Only a smart Bonham save prevented Sean McConville, starting his first league game of the season, from doubling Accrington’s advantage from close range in first-half stoppage time.

Chelsea loanee Nathan Baxter – making his league debut for Stanley in goal – kept his side ahead on the hour mark when he saved from John Akinde after the Gills striker had broken through on goal.

And an unmarked Charles sealed the victory for John Coleman’s team in the 64th minute when he slotted home from Joe Pritchard’s cross.

Coleman said: “The clean sheet impressed me the most.

“There was that joke on Sky years ago about bouncebackability – well, we let ourselves down at Wigan on Saturday as we had a major hand in their goals.

“It was important that we got back on track. We defended properly and despite all their pressure, there weren’t many clear-cut chances. On another day, I think we could have scored a couple more, too.

“Gillingham put the ball into the box whenever they got the chance but our lads cleared everything and they deserve full credit for that.”

On ‘keeper Baxter replacing Toby Savin, he added: “I thought he did very well. He was very calm and assured.

“It’s a different game from playing in the EFL Trophy. Whichever goalkeeper I play now I’m confident that they’ll deliver outstanding performances.”