The Gills exited the Carabao Cup at the first round stage on Tuesday evening, as they lost to Championship side Millwall on penalties.

Manager Steve Lovell made three changes from the side that beat Burton Albion at home last weekend. Captain Gabriel Zakuani, Billy Bingham and Dean Parrett dropping out of the team with Tom Eaves, Alex Lacey and Callum Reilly coming in.

Millwall manager Neil Harris by contract made ten changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Blackburn Rovers last weekend.

The Gills did create a number of chances throughout the game although they had to rely on Tomas Holy being alert in the early stages to keep out Ben Thompson and Jiri Skalak.

Tom Eaves who returned to the starting line-up this evening, had a chance with 15 minutes gone but he couldn’t keep his volley down from a Bradley Garmston cross. Regan Charles-Cook and Josh Parker both had half chances but couldn’t find the back of Ben Amos’ net.

In the second half of a game that the Gills had acquitted themselves well in both Brandon Hanlon and Charles-Cook put good chances wide for the visitors.

Millwall thought they might score when Onyedinma tried to pounce on Ferguson’s header that looped over Holy, but Holy and Garmston managed to keep him out.

Both Hanlon and Charles-Cook could have put the Gills ahead, Hanlon beat his marker with his lightening quick pace but dragged his shot wide. Charles-Cook also dragged his shot wide shortly after Elliott headed over the cross bar for the home side.

After ninety minutes neither side had found the net and as with the Carabao Cup this season the game went straight to penalties.

Millwall’s Jed Wallace saw his penalty saved by Holy, before Byrne had his penalty saved by Amos. Elliott then converted his penalty, before O’Neil levelled the shootout up by scoring his penalty.

Webster then put the home side back in front, Parker then stepped up and fired his penalty miles over the bar for the Gills. Ferguson then made no mistake with his spot kick to put Millwall 3-1 up.

Hanlon then stepped up and had to score to keep the Gills in the tie but he saw his effort saved by Amos and the Gills lost the shootout 3-1.

Millwall line up: Amos, McLaughlin, Meredith (O’Brien, 74), Wallace, Webster ©, Tunnicliffe, Skalak (Wallace, 83), Thompson, Ferguson, Elliott, Onyedinma (Gregory, 74).

Subs not used: Archer, Cooper, Romeo, Williams.

Gillingham line up: Holy, O’Neil, Garmston (Fuller, 74), Lacey, Ehmer, Reilly © (Stevenson, 64), Byrne, Charles-Cook, Parker, Hanlan, Eaves (Wilkinson, 76).

Subs not used: Hadler, Nasseri, Simpson, Nash.

Referee: Mr Charles Breakspear

Attendance: 4,401 (560 Gills).

Photo credit to http://www.kentproimages.co.uk