Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler was proud of his side despite seeing them beaten after leading against Premier League side Stoke City.

Danny Kedwell gave The Gills a 16th minute lead to the delight of the majority of those packed into Priestfield, but Jon Walters and Cameron Jerome responded before the break.

Robert Huth’s header four minutes after the break settled the tie and sent Gillingham out of the FA Cup, but Hessenthaler was pleased with his sides’ efforts:

“For the first 35 minutes there was one team in the game and we had a good spell to get another goal but we were punished in the last 10 minutes of the first half,” Hessenthaler said.

“That lets them back into the game, we switched off again early in the second half and were punished again.

“But we can come out with a lot of credit for the way we played against a Premier League side. They are a strong side and Tony (Pulis) showed us respect with the team he put out and we gave it a right go.

“As a manager against a Premier League side you worry about being humiliated but we said `go out there and don’t let the game pass you by’ and they did that.”

“We played some decent stuff at times. We should take lots of confidence from the performance. If we show that commitment and desire we will be where we want to be this season.” added Hessenthaler to the club’s official website.

Hessenthaler confirmed after the game that leading scorer Danny Kedwell had cracked a rib and there is very chance he could be ruled out for some time.

That should see The Gills boss back in the transfer market with Jo Kuffour’s return to Priestfield more important than ever now.

Picture by Jack Gracie