A second-half penalty from striker Andy Liddell sent Wigan Athletic clear at the top of the first division table, but manager Paul Jewell was far from satisfied describing his side's first-half performance as woeful.
Liddell's spot kick, after he was pushed by Gillingham defender Paul Smith, was the goal that separated the two sides after what was for long periods a dull encounter.
But the goal extended Wigan's unbeaten league run to 13 games and earned Liddell a place in the record books, as he equalled the club's goalscoring record of 66 league strikes.
However the performance didn't please boss Jewell, who said: "It was three points but in truth it was a woeful performance.
"The teams that tend to win when they are not playing well tend to be the successful ones, but we were fortunate today and I suppose it's better to be lucky than talented." Gillingham though will point to two crucial misses from striker Rodney Wallace, who blazed high and wide with only Wigan keeper John Filan to beat.
Disappointed Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler said: "The misses were crucial but that's the way things are going for us at the moment. This is the second successive game where we have played well but come away with nothing.
"We just need a bit of luck and one of the chances to go in, and we will turn the corner."