Gillingham’s woes against Grimsby Town continued with another home thrashing against the visitors.

Ronan Hale equalised for the Gills in the first half after Harvey Rodgers had given the visitors an early lead but Grimsby restored the lead from the penalty spot before scoring twice more to win 4-1.

Grimsby had won their previous two games at Priestfield, thrashing the Gills 4-1 on their last visit in April. They arrived at Priestfield looking for a first away win of the current season - and they got it on a plate.

The Gills had drawn their previous two games at home and stumbled again, this time taking nothing from a forgettable afternoon.

Robbie McKenzie returned to the team, at the expense of Ethan Coleman, after time off on Tuesday night to attend the birth of his first baby.

In a change upfront, Garath McCleary was handed a starting role as Tom Eaves dropped to the bench, which meant a return to the middle for Hale.

In windy conditions, Grimsby adapted better early on and took a seventh-minute lead.

Charles Vernam slipped the ball to Geza Turi, and when his cross was headed out of the box, Rodgers fired the loose ball goalwards from 20 yards with a first-time hit that nestled into the back of the net.

There were some more nervy moments for the Gills but they were creating chances.

Hale came close to connecting onto a low cross in from McCleary and Jack Daley hit a low shot at the keeper.

At the other end, Vernam’s deflected shot needed saving and from the subsequent corner Iwan Morgan had an effort that went wide after hitting a Gillingham player.

James Brophy’s corners were a threat, aided by the wind, and one of his inswingers came off the crossbar.

The Gills got level on 37 minutes. Nick Freeman took a quick throw to McCleary, who spotted the run from Hale, found his man and the Gills striker picked his spot beyond the keeper for 1-1.

Gillingham defender Andy Smith was playing against a club who he helped win promotion to the Football League in 2022. He almost scored a second with a header that wasn’t far away.

Wright saved from Morgan before the break as the teams went in level

The wind had got stronger and the rain heavier as the two sides came back out for the second half.

Conor McManus met a Robbie McKenzie cross in the early moments of the second half but missed the target as he slid in at the far post.

The Gills found themselves behind again on 55 minutes after Morgan smashed home from the penalty spot.

Armani Little had given it away, dragging Kieran Green down in the box after the Grimsby man had got away from him.

It was 3-1 on 64 minutes as Geza Turi poked the ball home in a crowded area after Green had played the ball in.

Gills manager Gareth Ainsworth made changes as Tom Eaves and Sheldon Kendall were introduced.

Grimsby added a fourth on 70 minutes when Turi found Sonny Finch in space and he picked his spot past Wright.

Former Gillingham striker Josh Andrews had a shot saved after coming off the bench, Wright ensuring the afternoon didn’t get any worse.

Gillingham: Wright, Smith, Beckles, Daley, Freeman (Kendall 66mins), McManus, Little (Coleman 78mins), McKenzie, Brophy, McCleary (Eaves 66mins), Hale. Subs not used: Luthra, Dack, Waldock, Dobbs

Grimsby: Pym, Kacurri, Green (Doyle 81mins), Rodgers, Walker (F Cartwright 81mins), Morgan (Andrews 72mins), Fulkes, Amaluzor (Finch 55mins), Turi (Shelton 72mins), Vernam, Cook. Subs not used: H Cartwright, Reynolds.

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Attendance: 5,665 (438 away)