Gillingham are through to the Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup with what was in the end a comfortable win over League One neighbours Charlton Athletic to take their place in arguably the most famous Cup draw in the World.

First half goals from Macauley Bonne and Tim Dieng proved the difference, but it could easily have been more as another brilliant defensive display led by Max Ehmer and Connor Masterson meant that Alfie May (who could easily have signed for the Gills in the summer) and co returned back up the A2 with their tails well and truly between their legs! 

Ex Addick Bonne did well to convert Jayden Clarke’s great play down the left and four minutes later, Dieng raced onto George Lapslie’s great through ball to drill the ball into the bottom corner to establish the lead that was to see Steven Clemence’s side through.  

The headline from the Head Coaches team selection for a change was not the changes from Tuesday’s win over AFC Wimbledon but surely was the name of Olli Hawkins for the first time this season after his ongoing battles with his heel injury. 

May did have the games first chance but was denied by a smart save from Jake Turner early on before the Gills opened the scoring on 25 minutes as Clarke brilliantly drew keeper Ashley Maynard-Brewer before rolling the ball into Bonne’s path who side footed the home side ahead. 

The celebration had barely died down before Priestfield went wild again as Dieng raced onto Lapslies through ball and held his composure magnificently before hammering the ball beyond a despairing keeper to double the lead. 

Dieng was within a whisker of making it three with a free kick just before the break, but it was not all good news for Clemence’s side in the opening half as both Ethan Coleman and Jonny Williams hobbled off during the opening period. 

You would have expected some response from the League One side, but it just did not happen as the Gills were still the only side looking like scoring. 

Dieng’s header from Scott Malones centre flew inches too high; Clarke was brilliantly denied by the Charlton keeper after some fine work by sub-Dom Jeffries; Maynard-Brewer then saved really well to deny Bonne as the Gills striker forced his way through before Lapslie sent a piledriver inches too high. 

The final whistle brought scenes of celebrations and the Gills reward is a home time against an out of form Sheffield United side.

One thing we can guarantee is the season’s longest trip of the season next on the Head Coaches footballing advent calendar and a trip to Barrow – if anything will keep feet on the ground (and with all respects) that surely is it.

GILLINGHAM – Turner, McKenzie, Ehmer, Masterson, Malone, Dieng, Coleman (Jefferies), Lapslie (Nadesan), Jonny Williams (Shaun Williams), Jayden Clarke (Nichols), Bonne (Alexander) 

Subs – Morris, Max Clark, Ogie, Hawkins 

CHARLTON ATHLETIC – Maynard-Brewer, Asiimwe, Ness, Jones, Edun (Watson), Blackett-Taylor, Dobson, L. Watson (Fraser), May, Tedic (Mbick), Campbell (Kanu) 

Subs – Walker, Thomas, Hector, Anderson, Kedwell  

REFEREE – Mr Singh Gills 

Images courtesy of Gillingham FC