The on-loan Wolves youngster curled a 25-yard effort home in the third minute after Simon King conceded the set piece after handling the ball.

Jason Crowe's header hit the post for the visitors, while Gillingham's Adam Miller's effort rattle the crossbar.

Gillingham were furious late on after they felt they were denied a penalty when Danny Jackman appeared to handle.

Gillingham: Royce, Southall, Cox, King (Bygrave 70), Nutter, Bentley, Crofts, Rocastle (Thurgood 67), Miller, Facey (Griffiths 67), Mulligan.
Subs Not Used: Stillie, Cumbers.

Booked: Facey, Bentley.

Northampton: Bunn, Little, Hughes, Johnson, Jones, Burnell, Crowe, Coke (Larkin 73), Jackman, Gilligan, Bowditch (Henderson 86).
Subs Not Used: Dunn, Akinfenwa, Holt.

Booked: Jones, Crowe.

Goals: Jones 3.

Att: 5,579

Ref: Andy D'Urso (Essex).