Jayden Clarke came off the bench to score the winning goal as Gillingham ended their run of seven games without a victory by stunning Sky Bet League Two leaders Port Vale 1-0 at Priestfield.

With the match seemingly heading for a goalless draw, Conor Masterson’s floated cross was headed home by Clarke from close range, his fifth goal of the season.

Neither side tested the opposing goalkeeper in the first half of a game of very few chances.

However, the visitors felt they should have had a penalty prior to the interval when Ronan Curtis appeared to be brought down by Jake Turner. The referee waved mass appeals away.

Darren Moore’s visitors should have been ahead on the hour when Ryan Croasdale found Jayden Stockley in space with a cross from the left wing but the striker put his effort wide from close range with only Turner to beat.

The miss proved costly as Clarke was left unmarked to head beyond Connor Ripley for the only goal of the game in the 79th minute.

The Kent club held out to register their first league win since the end of September.