Gillingham marched through to the Third Round of the FA Cup at Brisbane Road courtesy of a first half Curtis Weston goal.

In what was a nerve jangling cup tie against the League One opposition, Andy Hessenthaler’s side showed all their prowess to make it through to Sunday’s draw.

Hessenthaler was forced into making three changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Bradford City with Frank Nouble and Jo Kuffour unavailable whilst Matt Lawrence was suspended.

That meant Lewis Montrose and the fit again Danny Jackman came into the starting line up with Stefan Payne handed just his third start for The Gills alongside Danny Kedwell after it was revealed Chris Whelpdale was still suffering from the effects of a bug with the midfielder originally planned to have been in the side.

Charlie Lee was restored to the right back slot with Hessenthaler naming seven subs, most of them relatively inexperienced.

Neither side could really gain control of the contest in the opening stages but Russell Slade’s side came close on a few occasions to playing Kevin Lisbie through on goal.

It was the visitors who would have the first attempt on goal. Lewis Montrose firing a 25-yard shot towards goal that was comfortably dealt with by Ben Alnwick.

The Gills then felt they were denied a penalty when Leon McSweeney blocked a cross from Weston.

A loud appeal from the travelling fans was echoed by the players but referee Phillip Gibbs was unmoved.

The visitors were certainly looking the better of the two sides and it wasn’t until just before the half hour that Orient registered a shot on target.

Lee Cook won a free-kick on the edge of the box and decided to take it himself. However, while he beat the wall, it was an easy stop for Ross Flitney.

The Gills were on top throughout the opening 45 minutes and Orient were lucky to escape what looked like a penalty when a Danny Kedwell header struck the arm of Scott Cuthbert.

Just before the break the visitors got the goal that their first half performance deserved. A quick long throw by Charlie Lee was met on the volley by Weston and he guided the ball into the bottom corner to give the Gills a half time lead.

Slade decided to make a double substitution at the start of the second half. Jaime Cureton replaced Marc Laird while Terrell Forbes came on for former Gills defender Ben Chorley.

Despite the changes it was the Gills who continued on the front foot, and Jack Payne will feel he could’ve done better after dragging a shot from the edge of the box wide.

The League Two side continued to press forward and nearly grabbed a second goal in bizarre circumstances.

A routine back-pass to Alnwick bobbled just as the keeper went to hit a clearance, his kick then spun into the air and landed at the feet of Kedwell eight yards out.

The striker seemed surprised to receive the ball and by the time he managed to get a shot away the O’s stopper was in quickly to block his attempt.

The O’s had marginally improved in the second period but Gills stopper Flitney still hadn’t had to make anything other than a routine save.

In the closing stages it was the visitors who looked the more likely to add to the scoreboard. Weston and Dennis Oli both missed chances to put the game beyond the O’s.

Slade’s side pushed forward late on in search of a leveller and the O’s felt they could’ve been awarded a penalty when Dawson seemed to be tripped in the box.

Orient came closest to finding the net in the last minute as Cook smashed a half volley against the crossbar. However the O’s couldn’t find the equaliser and they will not be in the pot for the third round, whilst The Gills will.
FULL TIME: LEYTON ORIENT 0-1 GILLINGHAM

As a result of the win, Gillingham’s scheduled game with Rotherham United at Priestfield on January 7th will be postponed and they will be ball number 50 for Sunday’s draw which is set to take place at 2:40pm on ITV.

Orient line up: Alnwick, Chorley (Forbes H/T), Cuthbert, Dawson, Lisbie, McSweeney, Porter (Mooney 79), Spring, Laird (Cureton H/T), Cook, Clarke.

Subs not used: Butcher, Cestor, Smith, Lobjoit.

Gills line up: Flitney, Lee, Richards, Frampton, Martin, Montrose, J Payne, Weston (Fish 91), Jackman, S Payne (Oli 68), Kedwell.

Subs not used: Gazzaniga, Davies, Evans, Essam, Rance.

Goal: Weston (45+1).

Booked: Montrose (51)

Referee: Mr Phillip Gibbs

Assts: Mr Andy Davies & Mr Adam Nunn

4th Official: Mr Matt Foley

Attendance: 3,763 (Gills 1,400)