Gillingham got their Papa John’s Trophy campaign off to a winning start on what proved to be a fiery night at Priestfield. 

Leyton Orient’s last visit to Medway will be remembered for the night the East Londoners won last season’s Division Two title despite losing to Neil Harris’ resurgent side on the evening when the lights went out! 

Now to say that this competition isn’t top of Neil Harris’ list of priorities is probably the understatement of the season so far and for just over an hour those who enjoyed what was a balmy evening at Priestfield, it was a game that wouldn’t live long in the memory of many as the away side led thanks to the most unluckiest of own goals from Glenn Morris – George Moncur’s shot beating Morris, thudding off the inside of a post before hitting the prone keeper on the back and agonisingly trickling over the line. 

To be fair, the visitors deserved the lead if not the luck – Pigott had twice been denied and Forde’s rasping drive was magnificently turned aside by Morris. 

The goal three minutes from the break finally stirred the home side into life and in stoppage time Macauley Bonne headed Conor Mahoney’s free-kick over and Ethan Coleman’s shot (again from Mahoney’s pull back) was just about held by keeper Brynn. 

The second period was a much better spectacle although Bonne won’t want to be reminded of a shot that cannoned off the roof of the Rainham End.

Pegrum was inches away from doubling the lead with a drive that was fractionally too high before the red mist descended on the visitors. 

Forde was first to see red as he lashed out at Max Clark off the ball and that was followed three minutes later by defender Copper who not only left Bonne in a heap on the touchline but then stamped on the striker. 

In between, just how Jonny Williams hadn’t scored his first Gillingham goal is beyond belief as from a half-cleared corner the Welshman hit the sweetest of volleys only for Brynn to get the slightest of touches as the ball crashed off the angle.

Such was the ferocity of the shot that the woodwork was still shaking when the corner was taken. 

Facing nine men, the Gills upped the tempo and Cheye Alexander was next to be denied as his stinging drive was beaten out by the keeper. 

A moment of magic from Mahoney got the Gills level as the on-loan Leicester winger jinked into the box only to be unfairly halted and Alexander did the honours from the spot – sending the keeper the wrong way. 

The Gills were finally on top and just moments later, they had the lead. Mahoney again was the architect with a driven centre that Beckles could only slide into his own net with Bonne waiting behind him for a tap in at the back post. 

As the Gills tried to play out time, Orient missed a golden chance to force penalties. Sotirou was played clean through, but Morris stood up superbly and blocked the shot and as the rebound fell to a red shirt, the ball was blazed high and wide into an empty Brian Moore Stand. 

It could have got even worse for Orient as Archibald took Coleman out completely in front of the referee, but the official must have deemed he’d shown red enough on the night. 

Whatever your feelings about the competition, this win was so needed for Harris and his charges after three defeats in a week putting them hopefully back on track as they now face three of their next four games at Priestfield. 

GILLINGHAM – Morris, Masterson, Alexander, Max Clark, Ogie, Mahoney (MacArthur 87), Coleman, McKenzie (Gbode 70), Williams (Chambers 81), Jayden Clarke (Malone 87), Bonne (Nadesan 86).

Subs not used – Ehmer, Turner.

LEYTON ORIENT – Brynn, Cooper, Galbraith, Hunt (El-Mizouni 75), Beckles, Pegrum (Sotirou 69), Moncur (Archibald 69), Forde, Pratley, Saunders, Pigott (James 69).

Subs not used – Graham, Oboero, Howes.

REFEREE – Mr Ben Atkinson 

Attendance: 1388 (155 Leyton Orient).

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.