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Gillingham started their pre-season friendly campaign today with a defeat, losing 1-0 at home to Stevenage Borough.The game started brightly for the Gills as they dominated po se sion in the opening few minutes and createda fewhalf chances, causing Stevenagea few early problems. The Gills couldve then taken the lead on 11 minutes when Kevin Mahers deflected shot forced Stevenage keeper James Ru Manny Ramirez Jersey sell to tip the ball over the bar and out for a corner.Stevenage did have a few chances themselves, and had a great opportunity to break the deadlock when Iyseden Christie beat the offside trap and was linedup for a free header on goal, but the striker failed to latch onto the cro s, relieving the Gills defenders after a poor mistake.Minutes later, the Gills hadtheir bestopportunity of the halfto take the lead, when Irishman Gary Mulligan headed down for Andrew Crofts to shoot, but the Wales midfielder failed to convert,hitting the post with his low strike.The Gills came close once Omar Vizquel Jersey again, when on 36 minutes Simeon Jackson hit a low effort which was rebounded into the path of Andrew Crofts, but his chipped effort drifted just over the bar.For the second half, both teams featured virtually new line-ups, with Gills bringing on youngsters such as Taylor Thomas, Andy Pugh and Rory Hill. Stevenage however chose a more experienced line-up in the second half, bringing on more senior players, including their top scorer last season, Steve Morison. There was also a debut for former Boro keeper Alan Julian, who signed for the Gills this summer, as well as a game for trialists Alex Bailey and Alistair John.Stevenage started the game brighter, and created quite a few chances, which meant Gillingham could Edwin Encarnacion Jersey only create their first real chance of the second half on 49 minutes,after a good runby Dennis Oli down the right sideteed Yan Gomes Jersey upJohn Nutter a shot on goal, but the defender hit his shot wide of the Stevenage goal.Stevenage then broke the deadlock, when on 54 minutes, Boros star striker Steve Morison was put through on goal, and made no mistake by chipping the advancing Julian to give his side the lead. The goal saw Stevenage grow in confidence, as they created several more chances, and came close on 64 minutes through Anthony Thomas.Gillingham had a few opportunities to equalise later on in the game, when on 71 minutes, youngster Rory Hill hit a shot on goal after being first to B.J. Upton Jersey react to a cleared corner, but his shot was straight at Boro keeper Ashley Bayes. Hill then had another chance to score with a low shot to the right of the goal on 81 minutes, but Bayes managed to turn it away to keep his side in the lead.The Gills created a few more chances towards the end of the match, but just couldnt find that equalising goal, and subsequently lost 1-0 in the opening game of their pre-season campaign.