Gillingham and Carlisle United will need a replay to determine who will make the FA Cup Third Round after a 1-1 draw at the Priestfield Stadium.

Luke O’Neill curled home an excellent free-kick from the edge of the area to give the League One side a fifth-minute lead but Danny Grainger’s penalty levelled for Carlisle on 18 minutes.

Neither side could find a winner, leaving a long midweek trip to Cumbria for the Gills the week after next.

The hosts went in front in spectacular style when Conor Wilkinson was upended and O’Neill curled his free-kick past Jack Bonham.

The Cumbrians almost replied immediately when Kelvin Etuhu’s well-struck shot flew wide. But they did equalise from the spot when Mark Byrne brought Tom Parkes down inside the area and Grainger did the rest.

Gills’ Tom Eaves went close after he latched on to a smart through ball from Wilkinson but neither side was able to find a clinching second goal.

The two sides will go head to head once again in Cumbria on Tuesday 12th December meaning Gillingham’s Kent Reliance Senior Cup game at Maidstone United will now have to be moved.

Meanwhile, Steve Lovell has said he will field a strong side for Tuesday night’s Checkatrade Trophy clash against Oxford United at Priestfield.

 

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neill, Ogilvie, Ehmer, Zakuani, Clare (Martin H/T), Byrne, Wagstaff, Hessenthaler, Eaves (Parker 74), Wilkinson.

Subs not used: Nelson, Nugent, Oldaker, Simpson, Cundle.

Goal: O’Neill (5).

Booked: Clare (40).

Carlisle United line up: Bonham, Grainger (T Miller 71), Joyce, Liddle, Parkes, Jones, Bennett (O’Sillivan 82), Brown, Lambe (Hope 88), Etuhu, Hill.

Subs not used: George, Devitt, Cosgrove, S Miller.

Goal: Grainger (18).

Referee: Mr Andy Woolmer

Attendance: 3,178 (321 Gills)