A late goal from substitute Dennis Oli was enough to send the Daggers to defeat after a tight encounter at the KBRS Priestfield Stadium
The Daggers named an unchanged line up but it was the home side that made a fast start and forced a couple of corners early on.
Andy Barcham's pace caused a few problems for Danny Foster while Magnus Okuonghae was helped out be his central defensive partner Mark Arber after Mark McCammon had skipped past the former Rushden man.
Gillingham's early endeavour was rewarded after Scott Griffiths could only clear to John Nutter. Nutter went past a challenge and lined up a shot that was partially saved by Tony Roberts. Unfortunately the Daggers keeper couldn't do much to prevent McCammon driving the loose ball back past him and into the net.
The Daggers needed to clear their heads and got an ideal opportunity to get themselves back into the game which they wasted.
Simon Royce thrashed a clearance straight at Paul Benson. The referee allowed Benson to carry out, despite one or two home claims that he controlled the ball with his arm. Benson rolled the ball towards the open net but pulled it two yards wide.
It became more of an even game after that and Scott Griffiths fired in a rising effort that was straight at Royce.
The Gillingham keeper seemed to be living a charmed life after he hit another poor clearance against Benson. This time Benson had no time to react and the ball rebounded straight back to Royce.
The next attack saw Simeon Jackson get past the Daggers defence. Roberts had to make good save at the strikers feet to prevent Jackson from doubling Gillingham's lead.
The Daggers had Ben Strevens to thank for getting back on level terms. In one movement, Strevens brought the ball down and turned beautifully before slotting it along the face of the Gills goal. There was Sam Saunders who benefited from Strevens' good work by ramming the ball home from five yards.
The visitors certainly started the second half much better than they did the first and Saunders and Strevens combined once more for the latter to force Royce into making a decent save.
Strevens continued to be involved and he cut the ball from the by-line forcing Garry Richards to stretch and clear the ball.
Gillingham however remained a threat, particularly McCammon. He latched onto to very good defence splitting pass from Richards but was thwarted by a great point blank stop from Roberts.
The Daggers were undone right at the end. With just a couple of minutes left on the clock, Nutter floated in a free-kick where Dennis Oli planted a header past Roberts.
The goal was tough to take for the Daggers, who had probably done enough to deserve a point. Graeme Montgomery almost earned them that point late on, but his low shot was turned round the post by Royce.
Att: 6,945 (399 D&R)
D&R: 1. Tony Roberts (27. David Hogan 90+1 mins), 2. Magnus Okuonghae (15. Anwar Uddin 87 mins), 3. Matt Ritchie, 7. Sam Saunders, 8. Glen Southam (22. Greame Montgomery 90 mins), 12. Scott Griffiths, 14. Paul Benson, 18. Ben Strevens, 19. Danny Foster, 33. Peter Gain, 34. Mark Arber. Subs not used: 4. Scott Doe, 30. Jamie Guy
Gills: 1. Simon Royce, 2. Barry Fuller, 3. John Nutter, 4. Stuart Lewis, 5. Simon King, 6. Garry Richards, 10. Simeon Jackson, 16. Josh Wright (21. Dennis Oli 68 mins), 26. Curtis Weston, 30. Mark McCammon (8. Mark Bentley 80 mins), 32. Andy Barcham. Subs not used: 11. Nicky Southall, 14. Adam Miller, 23. Alan Julian
