Gillingham left it late to retain their 100% home record on Saturday.

Doug Loft netted from close range to open the scoring but Blackpool levelled early in the second half with a Ryan Jackson own goal.

Bradley Dack fired the Gills back in front with eight minutes left to win it for the League 1 leaders.

Gillingham made three changes to their team with the welcome return from injury of defenders John Egan and Brennan Dickenson.

Justin Edinburgh also made a change in midfield, selecting last week’s goalscorer, Jake Hessenthaler, ahead of Chelsea loanee Jordan Houghton.

Struggling Blackpool had won their first game in 25 the week before, but even that was fortuitous against a Scunthorpe side who had 23 attempts at goal in a 1-0 defeat.

Edinburgh had warned of the perils of underestimating Blackpool in the build up to the match.

The visitors had the game’s opening chance, Henry Cameron trying his luck in the first five minutes from outside the box, but Stuart Nelson did enough to tip the shot over the bar.

Gillingham’s best early chance was a glancing header at keeper Colin Doyle, but the hosts went ahead on the stroke of 17 minutes.

Luke Norris fired in a dipping free-kick, Doyle couldn’t hold on, and skipper Loft was on hand to finish from close range.

The Gills were playing a patient game in the hopes of doubling their lead, but despite their dominance the visitors refused to give in.

Brad Potts had a great chance to level and should have done better when running onto an inviting cross from Jim McAlister. His header went wide.

Norris again demonstrated his free-kick capabilities just before the break. Another attempt struck the bar, but keeper Doyle looked to have got it covered.

Blackpool were level six minutes after the restart. Hesitant defending allowed Potts room to cross the ball in and Jackson could only put the ball into his own net from close range.

It was the first time this season the Gills had conceded at Priestfield.

Gillingham very nearly went behind on the hour. Potts curling effort was cleared off the line by Max Ehmer and Nelson made a great block to deny Lloyd James.

Gillingham were back in front on 82 minutes when substitute Rory Donnelly put in a cross, it was only cleared as far as Dack and he slammed the ball home for his sixth goal of the season.

Gillingham: Nelson, Jackson, Dickenson, Egan, Ehmer, Wright, Loft (Osadebe 67mins), Hessenthaler, Dack, McDonald (Williamson 72mins), Norris (Donnelly 81mins). Subs not used: G Morris, Houghton, McGlashan, A Morris.

Blackpool: Doyle, Ferguson, McAlister, Jones, Potts, Cullen (Thomas 67mins), Cameron (Osayi-Samuel 78mins), Herron (Norris 61mins), Aldred, Boyce, Cubero. Subs not used: Letheren, Robertson, Redshaw, Oliver.

Attendance: 6,231 (221 away)