Things went from bad to worse on Saturday for struggling Gillingham who suffered another League 2 loss - this time to Salford.

Gillingham had enjoyed the better of a goalless first period but still couldn’t find a sorely-needed breakthrough, and second-half strikes by Theo Vassell, Ryan Watson and Callum Hendry earned the visitors a 3-0 victory.

The hosts had actually made a decent start at Priestfield to a first-ever meeting between the clubs, as they won a couple of early set-piece opportunities, but they came to nothing in front of a crowd of 3,853. That included 99 away supporters.

A first clear-cut chance of the match for the Gills came in the 11th minute when skipper Shaun Williams nodded wide Ben Reeves’ corner at the near post. Soon after, playmaker Reeves stung the palms of visiting keeper Tom King with a powerful drive.

Six minutes later, on-loan Brighton and Switzerland forward Lorent Tolaj attempted to add some international flavour to an early kick-off due to World Cup knock-out matches in Qatar being held on the same day. Former under-17, under-18 and under-19 international Tolaj sliced over for the away team.

After a Salford foul throw shortly before the half-hour mark, Robbie McKenzie blasted over from long range for Neil Harris’ men.

But the Manchester club - owned by the “Class of 92” which includes David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville among others - then threatened. But home keeper Jake Turner gathered after a dangerous left-wing cross by Matt Smith had caused problems.

As Gillingham’s wait for a league goal went beyond 500 minutes, attacker Jordan Green was thwarted by King with 38 minutes played.

Odin Bailey then drilled just wide for Neil Wood’s side who came on strong towards the end of the goalless first half.

But the final action of the half saw Williams glance Will Wright’s in-swinging delivery inches over the crossbar.

Five minutes after the restart, Reeves curled wide after a quick free-kick before the 53rd minute saw the same man become the first player in the book. But completely against the run of play, defender Vassell was unmarked and nodded Elliot Watt’s delivery from the free-kick beyond Turner to give The Ammies the advantage.

Harris looked to respond and made a triple change which saw Alex MacDonald, Lewis Walker and Elkan Baggott replace Reeves, Mika Mandron and McKenzie, who hobbled off.

However just after the hour mark, Salford added a fortunate second. An effort from midfielder Watson was deflected off a Gillingham man, wrong-footed Turner and ended up in the net, much to the dismay of the home contingent.

Hendry nearly made it three for the away team with 19 minutes to go. Cheye Alexander failed to control the ball and, spotting Turner off his line, Hendry tried his luck, with his effort falling inches wide of Turner’s right-hand post.

But forward Hendry made no mistake, four minutes later. He tried his luck from distance once more and, this time, found the net.

Gillingham’s fans had seen enough at this stage and began to head to the exit.

Adding insult to injury, quite literally, defender Baggott came off in the 83rd minute with a head injury and was replaced by Stuart O’Keefe.

Substitute Walker tested King early into six minutes of second-half stoppage time, which was met by groans from the Gillingham supporters, and the final whistle was met by a chorus of boos.

It’s now nine league matches without a win for the Gills - who remain second-bottom - and more than 550 minutes without a goal while Salford are just outside the play-off places.

Even before the match had started, there were boos from the home fans, with the hosts attacking The Rainham End in the first period.

Home boss Harris made two changes. Green and Scott Kashket - the pair who linked up for the late leveller at Dagenham last time out in the FA Cup - started in place of young striker Joe Gbode and midfielder O'Keefe who both dropped to the bench.

There was only one change for the visitors, Richard Nartey in for Ryan Leak.

Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Wright, Ehmer, Williams, Mandron (Walker 58mins), Reeves (MacDonald 58mins), McKenzie (Baggott 58mins, O’Keefe 83mins), Jefferies, Green, Kashket (Adelakun 78mins). Subs not used: Holtam, Gbode.

Salford City: King, Touray, Watt, Watson, Hendry (Leak 88mins), Bailey (Galbraith 66mins), Smith, Tolaj (McAleny 66mins), Bolton, Nartey (Jenkins 88min), Vassell. Subs not used: Chapman, Lowe, Lund.

Referee: Paul Howard.

Attendance: 3,853 (99 away fans).