Half-time fury gave way to full-time elation for Gillingham boss Steve Lovell.

The Gills had to fight back from a goal down after a slow start against AFC Wimbledon.

Two goals towards the end of the first half put them in charge and they dominated after that, coasting home to claim another much-needed three points.

Lovell said: “They started very much on the front foot, we knew they were going to but we never reacted to it. The boys looked nervous and I don’t know why.

“Wimbledon were on a good run, they were buoyant and they took it to us. They could have had a couple of goals early on and so to go into half-time 2-1 up was a bonus to us.

“I had a little pop at the boys but there was no need to because they knew. I didn’t have to say a lot. They knew they hadn’t performed and done what we could do.

• Report & pics: AFC Wimbledon 2 Gillingham 4

“We looked lethargic, nervous, second to everything, sometimes you have to credit the opposition because they came at us and had a go, really had a go and fair play to them, they threw everything at us first half but that’s all they had.

“Wimbledon didn’t allow us to play first half but once we established ourselves in the second half we played some lovely stuff and had a number of opportunities and could have won the game by a bit more.”

Goals from Brandon Hanlan and Graham Burke put the Gills ahead before the break and the game’s star man Leo Da Silva Lopes struck home with a sweet finish shortly after the restart to make it 3-1.

“He has been excellent and he is getting better and better every game,” said Lovell.

“Graham scored the second and the two of them have come into the side (on loan from Wigan and Preston respectively) and done really well for us.

“But it was a team performance, the two boys upfront Tom Eaves and Brandon Hanlan caused their three at the back all sorts of problems. I am glad the two of them got a goal because their work rate deserved it.”

Eaves headed in Gills’ fourth before the Dons pulled one back in stoppage-time.

Lovell added: “It was a really good win and we would have taken that before the game, against an inform Wimbledon team.

“I was very pleased, pleased with the three points and pleased with the performance in the end.

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