Gillingham 0 Walsall 3 - Report and pictures

The Saddlers headed to Kent having failed to win in their last seven outings.

But a first-half brace from Cook saw them race into the lead in an opening 45 minutes they dominated.

The former Tranmere striker netted his - and his team's third - shortly after the interval.

And from there Dean Keates' side saw out the game comfortably with the GIlls registering just one shot on target.

That was due to some towering performances all over the pitch with Cook deservedly getting the headlines but the likes of Jon Guthrie, Connor Johnson, Isaiah Osbourne and Joe Edwards all excellent.

ANALYSIS

In naming his starting line-up, boss Keates opted to hand a debut to Cameron Norman just 24 hours after the right-back was snapped up from Oxford for an undisclosed fee.

His inclusion saw Nicky Devlin move to the right of midfield with Matt Jarvis on the left and Joe Edwards and Isaiah Osbourne central.

Up front, Josh Gordon partnered Andy Cook with Morgan Ferrier missing due to a hamstring strain picked up against Scunthorpe.

Gillingham, under the guidance of Steve Lovell, lined up in a 3-4-1-2 system with Josh Rees operating just behind Elliott List and Josh Parker.

The hosts entered the clash having won their last two, but it was the Saddlers who enjoyed total control in the opening 20 minutes.

After a couple of early goal-mouth scrambles, they almost opened the scoring when Jarvis sent in a cross which was met in the air by Cook.

The striker saw his header blocked by Connor Ogilvie - but it was simply a sign of things to come.

Keates' men opened the scoring in the ninth minute after initially forcing a free-kick on the right.

Luke Leahy whipped the ball in with Cook getting a run on his marker before powering a header into the back of the net.

The goal was the first Walsall had scored inside the first 10 minutes of a match this season.

And they quickly went on to double their advantage with Jarvis producing a moment of magic to trick his way past a defender before standing up a cross which Cook again nodded in.

Walsall were so on top as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark that Lovell opted to make a change with striker Tom Eaves replacing centre-back Alex Lacey. The move saw the Gills match Walsall's 4-4-2 formation.

But they continued to struggle to create with Jon Guthrie and Connor Johnson excellent at the back for the Saddlers and Edwards also impressing sweeping things up in midfield.

And that dominance almost led to Keates' men grabbing a third before the break with Jarvis brilliantly tricking his way past two defenders before poking the ball into the side-netting.

The Gills made another change at the break with Regan Charles-Cook replacing Parker.

But two minutes later Walsall and Cook had a third.

Leahy's long throw found its way through to Cook with the striker bundling the ball home from close range to complete his hat-trick.

Gillingham hadn't had a shot on target as the clock ticked towards the hour mark.

And Walsall then came close to getting a fourth when a clever Leahy ball sent Jarvis away down the left.

The former Wolves winger then picked out Gordon but he steered a header inches past the post.

Gillingham registered their first genuine attempt in the 75th minute when Charles-Cook hit a fierce drive from 25-yards which was claimed by Liam Roberts.

Keates then made his first change with Scott Laird replacing Jarvis in a move that saw Leahy move to the left of midfield. Liam Kinsella then replaced Gordon.

Gillingham went on to apply some late pressure in the closing stages.

But Walsall held on easily to register their most comfortable victory of the season.

TEAMS

Gillingham: Holy, Lacey (Eaves 33), Zakuani, Ogilvie, O'Neill, Byrne, Reilly (Hanlan 63), Garmston, Rees, List, Parker (Charles-Cook 46).

Subs not used: Hadler, Ehmer, Simpson, Oldaker.

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Johnson, Norman, Jarvis (Laird 80), Edwards, Osbourne, Devlin, Gordon (Kinsella 83), Cook.

Subs not used: Dunn, Laird, Kinsella, Dobson, Ismail, Morris, Mussa.