Gillingham progressed to the Kent Reliance Senior Cup final after defeating their Ryman Premier visitors 6-5 on penalties after a hard fought 1-1 draw at Priestfield on Monday.
A second half wonder strike from Danny Galbraith drew the Gills level after Freddie Ladapo’s first half goal gave the visitors the advantage.
In an even opening quarter, Margate had the first opportunity on 7 minutes. Tambeson Eyong’s marauding run from right back was ended with a delightful cross into Jamie Taylor who volleyed straight at keeper Glenn Morris, who saved comfortably.
The home side were to force visiting keeper Nikki Bull into a save when Devante McKain shot from twenty yards out after good play from Brennan Dickinson put the ball into his path.
McKain was soon to be replaced by Greg Cundle as the Gillingham skipper for the night picked up an injury in the process of getting his shot away.
The Gills were penning back the visitors without harming them at all and it was to be Margate who would take the lead against the run of play on 36 minutes.
Jamie Taylor pounced on Callum Emptage’s poor control from a Margate clearance before passing through to Freddie Ladapo, the pass appeared to bring Ladapo too wide but he shot beyond Glenn Morris with a rapier like shot into the roof of the net.
Margate fans were soon shouting for a penalty but Leon Legge’s tackle was timed to perfection as he took the ball away from Lewis Taylor just as he was about to cross.
Half time and the Ryman League title challengers were worthy of their lead but their lead was to last just two minutes into the second half.
A ball from Mahlon Romeo found Danny Galbraith 25-30 yards out and he shot left footed into the top corner, giving Nikki Bull no chance at all.
Brennan Dickinson was to have a shot smothered soon after as the Gills tried to gain the ascendancy.
Margate nearly retook the lead on 53 minutes. Sam Rents made his way to the byline, before whipping a left footed ball onto the head of Jamie Taylor. His header was destined for the bottom corner but Glenn Morris clawed the ball onto the post before Legge swept the ball behind for a corner.
The flow of the game was to be thwarted with some reckless challenges as the second half wore on with, Dickenson,Legge and Emptage booked for the Gills whilst Eyong was booked for Margate for an off the ball incident.
Emptage was lucky not to see red for a second challenge on Eyong which led to the away fans booing him every time he touched the ball.
The booing nearly worked when his pass inside was wayward and only found Ladapo but the forward shot just wide of the keeper’s right hand post.
Margate nearly won the game as the clock ticked round to 90. Sub Zac Attwood put in Lewis Taylor but his shot from the right hand side of the area drifted just wide.
The full time whistle blew and it was penalties that would decide the outcome. After 11 successful penalty kicks, none of which the keepers got anywhere near, it was left to Margate’s Ryan James to be the fall guy.
His penalty flew handsomely over the bar and into the Rainham End to put Gillingham through to the Senior Cup final where they will play Ramsgate or Charlton Athletic who play on Wednesday night.
Gillingham line up: Glenn Morris, Callum Emptage, Mitchell Dickenson, Leon Legge, Aidan Blanchard, Jermaine McGlashan, Danny Galbraith, Brennan Dickenson, Devante McKain, Mahlon Romeo (Greg Cundle 31), Charlie Webster.
Subs not used: Chris Haigh, Dan Bent, Connor Hendricks, Ricardo Thompson.
Margate line up: Nikki Bull, Tambeson Eyong, Sam Rents, Ben Gerring, Charlie Wassmer, Brett Johnson, Lewis Taylor, Tom Phipp (Zac Attwood 66), Jamie Taylor, Freddie Ladapo, Ryan James.
Subs not used: Kane Wills, Anthony Riviere, Ryan Moss, Matt Armstrong-Ford.
Penalties were scored by Mcglashan, Romeo, B Dickenson, Blanchard, Galbraith and Webster for Gillingham.
Margate Penalties scored by L Taylor, Wassmer, Rents, Attwood and J Taylor.
Referee: Mr Stuart Butler
Assistants: Mr Jack Owen & Mr Richard Butcher