Gillingham left Dean Court as Doncaster did earlier in the season; looking back on how a 1-0 lead slipped to an injury time winner. This time it was Surman and Hayter with the goals.
The first half was lacking in goalmouth action, but an unchanged Cherries side from the team defeated at Hartlepool seven days ago defended well against a Gillingham side posing a different threat under Ronnie Jepson. The Gills were looking for a third straight victory, but also a first win on the road since March.
The visitors started brightly enough, Stewart having to dive down bravely at the feet of Harris on two minutes. Jarvis then made a run from midfield not picked up and as Stewart came to meet him an unfortunate bobble left the advertising hoarding above the stand preventing the ball from clearing the stadium.
When in possession Cherries were trying to move the ball quickly and the midfield were supported particularly well by James O'Connor on the right making a couple of strong forward runs with the ball. On the left, Hart and Foley were always making space and available for quick and effectice switches of play.
A Neil Young foul gave Gillingham a chance to strike from the arc of the 'D', but Flynn's shot was always rising as the visitors continued to rue poor finishing.
Gillingham captain and former Cherry Ian Cox enjoyed a warm reception from the home fans and also a physical battle with Steve Fletcher in both penalty areas. One of numerous vital headers won by Fletch helped to clear a corner on twenty minutes, but nobody closed down Danny Jackman who rasped a low shot inches wide.
Stewart was then called into action by the former Millwall striker Neil Harris. He created space for himself and shot just outside the area forcing Stewart to make a one handed save in the air. From that moment Cherries came into the game and shut Gillingham out in front of goal.
Stewart's work for the half was done, but at the other end Brown was just getting into the game. He gathered under pressure when Stock's free kick hit the wall and spun high into the air before saving routinely from Foley in the last minute of the first half.
Half time: AFC Bournemouth 0-0 Gillingham
Gillingham manager Ronnie Jepson brought on Paul Shields at the break and it took the substitute two minutes to get on the end of a scoring chance. Tom Williams provided the cross and Shields' diving header landed safely beyond Stewart's goal.
Marcus Browning had a good game against one of his former clubs and five minutes into the half he evaded a midfield challenge to ghost down the left flank. He sent in a cross for Hayter, whose difficult headed effort fell the same way Sheilds' did moments earlier.
On sixty-two minutes Gillingham carved open another chance and this time were not let down by poor finishing. Jarvis broke down the right hand side and saw off the challenge from Hart. He then played an inviting ball for Harris, who couldn't miss from six yards.
The lead lasted four minutes. James O'Connor was quick to take a throw on the right hand side and Gillingham failed to clear Bournemouth's swift move. James Hayter took up the ball and ran across the penalty area before finishing across goal with his weaker left foot. Goal number eleven for the season and Hayter punched the air in delight at netting it.
For the rest of the game the home side were in command and Gillingham now looked more concerned with defending the level score rather than adding to it. A couple of corners forced the pressure right into the Gills penalty area and Foley had a shot blocked off the line moments prior to Brown gathering from Fletcher.
Dani Rodrigues came on and earned praise from his manager after the match. He was immediately involved and energtic throughout his stay on the pitch, pulling defenders into all sorts of positions and creating space for midfielders to run into.
Brown saved Browning's flicked header from Stock's free kick and then had to dive low to save from Rodrigues. He was brilliantly spotted and picked out by Hayter's switch of play, but at the other end there was still a little defending to do as Gillingham tried to get the ball forward to Harris.
Only one side looked like scoring a winner though, however cruel the final blow was to a valiant Gillingham. Hayter and Fletcher combined superbly in the penalty box although it looked for a moment that Brown had quelled the danger. Hayter kept up the chase though and regained possession on the goal line. His cross was as good as the one Jarvis supplied for the first goal in the game and Surman came un-watched from deep to head in the last.
Final Score: AFC Bournemouth 2-1 Gillingham
