Gillingham’s defensive frailties cost them again on Tuesday night.

The Gills turned in an impressive performance at promotion-chasing Sunderland but couldn’t keep it tight at the back.

The Black Cats scored from corners twice in the opening 10 minutes and then clinched the win by converting two second-half penalties.

• Report: Sunderland 4 Gillingham 2

It was those goals from set-pieces which left Gills manager Steve Lovell frustrated.

He said: “We conceded early from a set-play, which has been our downfall all season, and then did it again with the second goal.

“It was nothing that they had created, it was what we gave them.

“Everyone has their roles and responsibilities, people they have to mark, and two of the people who scored weren’t marked. We don’t get those chances and there is no reason the opposition should.

“We have got to be a lot stronger from set-plays, it is disappointing to give them the goals.”

The Gills went to the Stadium of Light with an attacking formation and hit back twice after conceding from corners.

But Lovell said: “It doesn’t matter what shape you play, if you concede from corners you concede and that is the disappointing thing.

“We play well in that shape and we create things, but we have to do better defensively and we have to do it better quickly.”

• Reaction: We deserved something

Only Rochdale, who have conceded 67 goals, have a worse defensive record in the division than the Gills. Both they and Scunthorpe have let in 57.

The Gills remain 17th after their midweek defeat, three points above the drop zone.

However they head to Wycombe on Saturday buoyed by their attacking performance on Tuesday and goals again for their front two.

Tom Eaves scored his first goal in open play since mid-December and it was only a fourth of the season for Brandon Hanlan.

“I am pleased the two forwards scored,” Lovell said.

“Brandon has played well without a goal. The two of them caused problems, especially Brandon.

“You go down twice and you come back twice and you silence the crowd a bit second half, but their support is fantastic and gives them a lift.

“When the third goal went in we had a mountain to climb and when the fourth went in it was too late.

“The boys kept going and they gave everything.”