City: Burge (Charles-Cook 46), Di. Kelly-Evans, Clarke (C), Turnbull, Haynes, Foley, Reilly, Rose, George Thomas (Jones 65), Tudgay, Kwame Thomas (Yakubu 69), Subs: Bigirimana, Reid, Rawson, Lameiras.
Gillingham: Nelson. Jackson, Herd (Harmston 68), Ehmer. Oshilaja. McDonald (Parker 46). Dack, Donnelly. Byrne. Wright. Emmanuel-Thomas (Martin 46). Subs: Holy, Harmston, Hessenthaler, Osadebe, List.
FT CCFC 2-0 GFC
FT CCFC 2-1 GFC
ATT 8,718
Goals Kwame Thomas 16, George Thomas 20, Max Ehmer 54
Coventry City had their first win in 109 days with a 2-1 win over Gillingham at the Ricoh Arena.
It was a grey day in Coventry as the Sky Blues, who no longer represent the aspirations and dreams of many of its supporters, took on Gillingham in a fixture which neither side could afford to lose.
With Stuart Beavon out with a calf strain, Russell Slade changed his side yet again, with Marcus Tudgay and Kwame Thomas upfront and Jordan Turnbull back in a central defence.
It was a game, that supporters were only allowed into after a row in a serious meeting which was attended by Mark Venus and the Wasps safety officer, was resolved, if certain rumours are to be believed, that started with a couple of Gillingham players rolling round much to the amusement of the City support who watched as a tenth minute free kick fell to Marcus Tudgay who volleyed over.
City looked useful going forwards early on and won a corner which was easily cleared by by a Gills side who could get dragged in to the relegation zone if they are not careful.
In the 16th minute, City took the lead when Tudgay headed back across the goal and Kwame Thomas bundled into the net from close range.
Just like buses on Ball Hill, there was a second four minutes afterwards when the ball fell for George Thomas to score after initial good work from Tudgay who nodded not far wide three minutes later from a great Kelly-Evans ball as chants of "What A Load Of Rubbish" came out of the away end.
City with Reilly and Haynes attacking forced Gillingham to often defend in numbers.
Gillingham, who have lost on their previous two visits to the Ricoh, did win a corner just after the half hour mark and City had one of their own five minutes later.
George Thomas then got into the area but Nelson blocked his 36th minute shot.
Wrightt fired into the side netting against a City side which was playing in the same spirit that they had done at Gillingham on Tuesday night.
After the stewards had gone piling into the East Stand to sort out what looked like a disagreement between supporters, a very good half ended.
Reice Charles-Cook came on for the second half with Cody McDonald going off for the Gills in a double change.
Against a side reduced to giving away petty fouls, the Sky Blues allowed Max Emher to bundle home in the 54th minute and reduce the arrears, delighting the 400-odd away fans or 582 if you prefer the official figures.
The goal lifted the home side who had Martin fire wide on the hour mark and the ball in the net in the 65th minute. The Gills fans thought it was a goal but the flag had long gone up.
Jodi Jones came on for George Thomas who had been the victim of some heavy challenges, as did Yakubu for his home debut with 21 minutes to go.
City were starting to panic in defence on a heavy pitch.
Rose and Clarke had to make good clearances before Byrne fired at Charles-Cook with fourteen minutes left.
Yakubu got a round of applause for a cross which Reilly came in and sent over the South Stand bar in the 78th minute and then more applause for a shot at Nelson two minutes later.
Nelson saved from Jones as blue skies came over the stadium in a game which could go now either way.
Gillingham had an 84th minute corner that Charles-Cook caught.
The City support burst into life to rally the team who held on during the five minutes of extra time and Gillingham laying seige to the City goal in order to take the win.