Gillingham bowed out of the Bristol Street Motors Trophy despite a penalty shoot-out win over League One Stevenage at Broadhall Way. 

Needing to win by two clear goals to move into the knock-out stages, Mark Bonner’s side took a first half lead when Josh Andrews drilled home from Jayden Clarke’s pass, but when Dan Kemp levelled in the second half, the match itself finished level and the hosts went through to the next round.

The Gills though had the final say as they gained the “bonus point” to at least finish their campaign on a high. 

Changes were made on both sides which meant that the Ashby-Hammond brothers faced each other in their respective teams’ goals for the first time and it was Gillingham’s keeper called into action early on to keep out Nathan Thompson’s shot. 

In one of their first forays forward, the Gills got one of the two goals they needed for qualification. Andrews gained possession and found Jayden Clarke. Clarke immediately laid the ball back for the striker and Andrews made no mistake drilling home. 

Jake Young went close for the home side whilst Ethan Coleman’s header was really well kept out by the Stevenage keeper, only for his brother to make a magnificent save in first half stoppage time at the other end to deny Aaron Pressley. 

After the break, Jack Nolan and Joe Gbode both went close to netting the elusive second goal that would have taken Bonner’s side through only for substitute Kemp to poke the home side level and as it proved into the knockout stages of the competition. 

And so, to a shoot-out for the bonus point as draws are not “recognised” in the BSMT, and after the home side missed with their first effort, the Gills five – Max Clark, Jonny Williams, Jack Nolan, youngster Stan Sargent and Marcus Wyllie were perfect from twelve yards and the Gills gained the “consolation” of the extra point. 

Gillingham now have ten days off before they return to action with Bonner hoping to have more of the players who have recently been missing available for selection as the stresses and strains of December and the Festive programme looms large. 

STEVENAGE – Taye Ashby-Hammond, Thompson, Freeman, Smith, Freestone, List (Brown 85), White, Pressley (Simpson 57), King, Young (Aboh 58), Doherty (Kemp 57). 

Subs not used – Bouzanis, Thornett, Henry.  

GILLINGHAM – Luka Ashby-Hammond, Hutton (Ehmer H/T), Masterson, Ogie, Max Clark, Coleman, Jonny Williams, Nolan, Gbode (Sargent 86), Andrews (Wyllie H/T), Jayden Clarke.

Subs not used – Turner, Dieng, Euan Williams, Wakeling.

REFEREE – Mr. Scott Simpson 

Attendance: 832 (147 Gills).