Gillingham bowed out of the Leasing.com Trophy on Tuesday evening following a 4-0 defeat to League One leaders Ipswich Town.

Goals from Emyr Huws, Jordan Roberts, Will Keane, and an own goal from Mikael Mandron ensured the home side romped to victory, leaving the Gills on zero points from two group games, meaning they can no longer qualify for the knockout stages of the competition with one game to play.

Manager Steve Evans made 10 changes to the side that saw off Southend at the weekend, and it was a tough night for the back-up boys as Ipswich controlled the game in a dominant, one-sided affair.

The game started slowly with few chances in the opening five minutes or so. It did, though, spring into life on eight minutes when Emyr Huws gave Ipswich the lead.

Gillingham seemed to have a Town attack under control when Idris El Mozouni controlled the ball on the right wing but, after he squared the ball nicely to his midfield partner, Huws hit a sweet strike from roughly 30 yards, low past Walsh to give the home side the lead.

It seemed to be an evening where Ipswich fancied their chances from distance, Huws in particular, and he lined up another long-ranger, but was tackled excellently by midfielder Regan Charles-Cook as he was about to shoot.

Frustrations began to build in Gillingham’s attacking play and lone striker Mikael Mandron went into the book for a late challenge on Nasiala.

Those frustrations would have deepened just minutes later when Ipswich doubled their lead. Another long-range effort was blocked by Jack Tucker, but the rebound fell nicely for Jordan Roberts, starting up-front for Ipswich, and he fired past Walsh to make it 2-0.

Ipswich began to really control the affair and Roberts was almost in again just before half-time but for some poor control from a cross. Ipswich, though, went into the break with a healthy lead.

Town didn’t let up after the interval and Joe Walsh was called into action almost immediately when Danny Rowe forced him into a smart save at his near post. The young stopper would have had his heart in his mouth when El Mizouni had an effort deflected over the bar via Jack Tucker soon after, wrong-footing Walsh in the process.

Gillingham seemed to rely on set pieces throughout the evening, and their first effort of note from open play came on the hour mark when young midfielder Henry Woods dragged an effort wide from distance.

Just a minute later Ipswich had a third from a set-piece of their own, and it had to go down as an own-goal off of Mikael Mandron. El Mizouni’s low corner crept through a number of bodies before rebounding off the Frenchman into the net, adding more misery to what was already a hard evening for the away side.

Gills manager Steve Evans rang the changes in an attempt to change his side’s fortunes, swapping Regan Charles-Cook and Mandron for Alex Jakubiak and Oliver Lee, but the home side would score again not long after thanks to front man Will Keane. He was played in nicely and the former Manchester United striker slotted past Walsh to make it four.

Ipswich controlled the closing moments, controlling the same way they had done almost all of the game, and the win was soon confirmed. Results elsewhere meant Gillingham could no longer get out of the group.

Ipswich: Norris, Donacien (Dobra 46), Wilson (Hughes 80), Rowe, Roberts (Edwards 46), Nsiala, El Mizouni, Woolfenden, Kenlock, Huws, Keane.

Subs not used: Wright, McGavin, Clements, Simpson.

Goals: Huws 8, Roberts 21, Mandron OG 61, Keane 87.

Gillingham: Walsh, Hodson, Garmston, Ogilvie, Mandron (Jakubiak 69), Charles-Cook (Lee 69), Cissé, Pringle, Marshall, Woods, Tucker.

Subs not used: Bonham, O’Keefe, Ehmer, Ndjoli, O’Connor.

Goals: N/A.

Attendance: N/A.

Referee: Mr. T. Nield.

Assistants: Mr. M. Webb and Mr. A. Tranter.

Fourth official: Mr. A. Woolmer.

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.