Ten-man Town pay the price
The Glovers ended the match with ten men after Jean-Paul Kalala was sent off for a second yellow card. By the time the midfielder was dismissed in the 79th minute, Town were already chasing an equaliser after a poor start to the game.
The home side dominated the early exchanges, and only a string of superb saves from Yeovil goalkeeper Alex McCarthy kept his side in the game.
Gillingham started their onslaught in the fourth minute, when left-winger Andy Barcham burst through and fired in a low shot which McCarthy saved with his feet.
Two minutes later Mark Bentley and Jackson combined to set up Curtis Weston, who produced a flying save from McCarthy.
In the ninth minute the Gills' pressure told as Febian Brandy burst into the area and was bundled over by Steven Caulker and Stefan Stam.
Referee Pat Miller awarded the home side a penalty, which Jackson cheekily converted by chipping the ball down the middle of the goal.
The pace and movement of strike duo Jackson and Brandy continued to cause problems, and McCarthy rescued the Glovers again when Jackson blasted in a low shot.
Barcham was next to threaten as the Gills totally dominated, with the outstanding McCarthy keeping out his curling effort.
Brandy then hit the crossbar before Town boss Terry Skiverton made a bold 24th-minute substitution in a bid to change the game.
The manager brought off Scott Murray and sent on Sam Williams to partner Jon Obika up front, with Ryan Mason switching to the right wing.
The change made a difference, with Williams helping the Glovers keep possession in advanced positions.
However, McCarthy kept the deficit to one goal on the half-hour mark with a brilliant double save, thwarting Brandy and Chris Palmer in quick succession.
Yeovil finally threatened in the closing stages of the half after Mason set up Williams, but the former Aston Villa striker shot wide.
Gillingham again started the second half on the offensive, and Brandy's goal-bound header from close range was blocked by Craig Alcock.
The Glovers made their second change on the hour, introducing Dean Bowditch in place of Andy Welsh, with Obika moving to a wide position.
Then, on 64 minutes, Yeovil were indebted to McCarthy for another brilliant save, probably his best of the match, as he tipped Barry Fuller's free-kick on to a post.
McCarthy also kept out another effort from Jackson, before Yeovil created a clear chance of their own.
Ryan Mason's free-kick was nodded on by Caulker for Williams, whose powerful header was pushed over the bar by Simon Royce.
Yeovil made their final substitution with 12 minutes left, with Gavin Tomlin replacing Obika.
Skiverton's plans, however, were disrupted just a minute later when Kalala was sent off following a late challenge on Kevin Maher.
The midfielder had already been booked following a flare-up with Brandy and received his second yellow card for fouling the Gills' playmaker.
Comment on this story