Gillingham boss Jepson resigns

GILLINGHAM chairman Paul Scally accepted the resignation of manager Ronnie Jepson because he believed it was in the club's best interests.

Former Burnley coach Jepson offered his resignation following the 3-0 defeat against Southend.

The loss at Roots Hall was Gillingham’s fifth in their opening six matches of the season and leaves the Kent club in 22nd place in League One.

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Scally said: “It just wasn’t happening. A change was necessary and it was in the best interests of the club that he resigned.

“I did not want to be in this position but we are in a results business and we cannot have another season like last year.

“We have had problems with the team and he has not addressed those problems and dealt with the team. It is not a decision that has been made on one result it is more down to the way we have been playing.

“We have a talented squad and we believed we could have a good season - we still believe it could be. But for whatever reason Ronnie could not get them playing to the level they could be.”

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Jepson had been in charge at the Priestfield since 2005 when he replaced Neale Cooper, initially on a caretaker basis.

Meanwhile Leeds maintained the only 100 per cent record in the country and moved out of negative figures for the first time with a 2-0 win over Hartlepool at Elland Road.

Manager Dennis Wise’s side remain bottom on no points but are now just two points behind 23rd-placed Walsall following goals in each half from strike pairing Tresor Kandol (20) and Jermaine Beckford (50).

Leyton Orient went three points clear at the top after Adam Boyd sealed a 1-0 victory over Bournemouth.

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Boyd struck in the 71st minute, finding the bottom left corner from 12 yards as the O’s made it four wins and a draw from their first five games.

Tranmere leapfrogged Carlisle into second with a 1-0 victory at Brunton Park.

Craig Curran scored the only goal of the game in the 42nd minute, converting Chris Shuker’s cross from close range.

Gillingham’s miserable start to the season continued as they fell to a 3-0 defeat at Southend.

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Nick Bailey opened the scoring after eight minutes before Alan McCormack (44) and on-loan striker Leon Clarke (59) completed a routine victory.

Two first-half goals ensured Crewe secured a 2-0 win at the expense of Huddersfield.

The Railwaymen opened the scoring in the 16th minute courtesy of Lee Barnard and Eugen Bopp doubled the advantage after 39 minutes.

A Rickie Lambert double was enough to earn Bristol Rovers a 2-1 win at Luton.

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Just two minutes had passed when Lambert opened the scoring but his superb 35-yard strike was cancelled out 17 minutes later when Matthew Spring scored from the penalty spot after Paul Furlong had been brought down inside the penalty area.

But Lambert had the final day eight minutes from full-time when Lambert headed home Stuart Campbell’s cross from close range.

Walsall’s search for a win in League One goes on after they were held to a 0-0 draw by Port Vale.