Gillingham exited the Emirates FA Cup at the first hurdle as League One Blackpool scored a goal in each half to send Mark Bonner’s side out of the competition. 

The fixture marked the return to Priestfield of Gills legend Steve Bruce in the Blackpool dug-out and Bruce will have been more than happy with his sides progress as the Gills huffed and puffed but lacked any real creative spark to unlock the Seasiders defence. 

The returning Glenn Morris was soon called into action by Elliot Embleton from distance, but the Blackpool man found the side netting and then the keeper’s chest with his efforts. 

Armani Little and Jack Nolan had the Gills first efforts of not without really testing the keeper before Tim Dieng found Nolan who tested keeper Richard O’Donnell with a low shot that the keeper spilled but recovered in time to deny Jacob Wakeling. 

Seven minutes from half time, Carey put the visitors ahead with a rasping low drive that crashed in off Morris’ left post leaving the Gills needing to score at least one to force extra time. 

The second period began with the home side on top but failing to test O’Donnell and indeed but for a really good save from Morris, Blackpool sub-Jordan Rhodes would have doubled the lead after racing clear almost immediately after coming on – the Gills stopper doing really well to block the effort behind for a corner. 

The Gills woe in front of goal continued as despite much possession, the Blackpool goal was living a fairly comfortable life and as time elapsed, Carey raced through with the Gills piling forward in desperation for an equaliser and this time not even Morris could stop the visitors from sealing their progress into round two. 

Six defeats in seven now then for Gillingham and it doesn’t get any easier next for Bonner’s side as League Two leaders Port Vale are the next visitors to Priestfield… 

GILLINGHAM – Morris, Hutton, Masterson (Wyllie), Ehmer, Ogie, Clarke, Dieng (Gbode), Little, E. Williams, Nolan (Andrews), Wakeling 

Subs – Ashby-Hammond, Turner, Clark, J. Williams, Hawkins, Giles 

BLACKPOOL – O’Donnell, Offiah, Gabriel, Casey, Coulson, Finnigan (Onomah), Evans, Carey, Embleton (Pennington), Joseph (Beesley), Ballard (Rhodes)  

Subs – Tyrer, Fletcher, Baggott, Thompson, Ashworth 

Referee – Mr. Brook 

Attendance – 4403 

Image courtesy of Gillingham FC