Louis Flower feels contact on his back from Gills defender Andy Smith and the Crawley striker goes to ground a bit too easily.

The ref waves away his claims, and I don't think Flower can complain too much.

Crawley's Reece Brown threads through an almost inch-perfect through ball with the outside of his boot for Louis Flower, but Flower is ushered off it and it runs out for a goal-kick.

The visitors are back on the ball again though.

Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth is on the phone in the stands, presumably talking to his bench. Wonder what he's saying? "Try and get the ball back," most probably.

It's all Crawley at the moment, probing in the final third around Gillingham's penalty area.

The Red Devils are dominating the ball and have had three shots to Gillingham's zero.

Crawley are really knocking it about well here. Pass and move, pass and move.

Charlie Barker then lets fly from a long way out for the visitors and it bounces just before Gills keeper Jake Turner, who is forced into a save low down to his right.

Peter Lloyd
BBC Radio Kent

What a relief for Gillingham! That was the same post which saved us from conceding a goal in the last home game. Maybe it has magical qualities...

How has this not gone in for Crawley?!

Geraldo Bajrami gets on the end of a teasing ball into the box and his header crashes back out off the inside of the post and straight into the very grateful arms of Gills keeper Jake Turner.

A let-off for Gillingham.

Cheers from the away support as Gillingham goalkeeper Jake Turner tries to send one forward but it sails into touch.

Gillingham have lost just one of their past seven league games against Crawley Town (W4 D2), though it did come during their most recent meeting back in December 2023.

Crawley are just starting to settle into the game now. They work it into the area but midfielder Jay Williams is adjudged to have made a foul on Gillingham's Bradley Dack and the move breaks down.

Peter Lloyd
BBC Radio Kent

Crawley look creative, and neat with their passing but there seems to be a weakness in their defence.

I think we can overpower them.

That was a real moment of promise there on the break for Crawley, and credit to referee Paul Howard who played a good advantage in the build-up after a foul in the middle of the park on a Crawley player.

Ben Watts
BBC Radio Kent

At the moment this is total football...

It's good to watch.

Crawley launch a rapid counter-attack and Josh Flint races into the box on the right.

Flint gets away a shot from the angle but Jake Turner is out of his goal quickly to make an excellent save.

Gareth Ainsworth is watching his Gillingham side with intent from the stands after returning having recovered from heart surgery.

A positive start by the hosts, who have been camped in the Crawley half in the opening four minutes.

Gillingham win an early free-kick on halfway and play it quick to Garath McCleary on the right. His cross is overhit but the Gills retain possession and go again... in comes another cross and this time Joe Wollacott is out of his goal to claim for Crawley.

Away we go at Priestfield.

Gillingham start the evening in 10th but could climb to fifth and into the play-off spots with a win.

Crawley, who are 21st, are aiming to move up to 18th with victory.

Image source, Opta

Gareth Ainsworth makes two changes to the line-up for Gillingham from their 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers last weekend.

Bradley Dack and Garath McCleary come in for Elliott Nevitt and Seb Palmer-Houlden.

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey makes three changes from their 2-1 win over Fleetwood last time out in League Two.

Geraldo Bajrami, Harry Forster and Jay Williams all come into the side.

Ben Radcliffe, Scott Malone and Kaheim Dixon all make way and none of that trio are in the matchday squad.

Image source, Opta

Image source, Rex Features

Gillingham fans must be experiencing a bit of de ja vu.

Just like last season, the Gills came out the traps, winning six of their opening eight matches to sit unbeaten at the top of the pile.

And just like last season, a dismal run of form has followed to see them slide down the table.

But Gareth Ainsworth’s side did arrest a run of five games without a win (D1 L4) courtesy of a narrow 1-0 victory at struggling Bristol Rovers last weekend and they're still firmly in the promotion mix.

Under the lights at Priestfield this evening, it will be boss Ainsworth's first game back on home soil since recovering from heart surgery, though he won't be in the dugout and is watching from the stands.

Image source, PA Media

Just 10 days ago, Crawley Town owner Raphael Khalili said he wants to build a "serious club" and is already targeting making them "Championship ready".

The Red Devils have got a fair way to go to reach those lofty heights but a third consecutive win for the first time this season would be a good start.

Back-to-back home victories over Bristol Rovers and Fleetwood ended a five-game winless streak (D1 L4) and lifted Scott Lindsey's side out of the relegation zone, though they're just one point clear of danger.

Crawley's away form has left a lot to be desired, though, with only one win from seven on the road so far this season (D1 L5) and they'll need to focus on EFL survival first before they can start dreaming of promotion.

Image source, Opta

• Gillingham have lost just one of their past seven league games against Crawley Town (W4 D2), though it came during their last meeting in December 2023 (0-2).
• Crawley Town’s prior five away league games against Gillingham are perfectly split, with both sides winning two matches each and the other ending in a draw. Only one of those five fixtures has seen both sides score.
• This season in League Two, Gillingham are playing 29.7% of their passes long in total – the most in the competition – whilst Crawley’s percentage in the same category sits at just 13.6% - the lowest of any side.
• Crawley’s Josh Flint ranks fourth in League Two this season for most duels won (130), whilst he also leads his teammates for aerial duels won (71) and times winning possession (61 – joint with Dion Conroy).