Gillingham’s involvement in the Checkatrade Trophy concluded with an away win at West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday night.

Darren Oldaker and Jay Emmanuel-Thomas scored the goals that clinched victory for a strong Gills line-up that saw a debut for Baily Cargill and the return from injury for Bradley Garmston.

Oldaker opened the scoring in the first half with a 25-yard strike which curled past Alex Palmer in the Albion goal.

Emmanuel-Thomas made it two early in the second period when he calmly converted a penalty after Rahis Nabi fouled Billy Knott.

Gillingham might have scored more had Palmer not twice denied Emmanuel-Thomas before they made the breakthrough.

Albion did have chances of their own with Rekeem Harper forcing the opposition goalkeeper Stuart Nelson into saves on two occasions, while Alex Bradley fired off target late on.

With only 284 fans in attendance, it was ironic that so few travelling Gills fans saw the club’s first clean sheet in almost a year.

Defeats against Luton Town and Millwall meant Gillingham couldn’t progress despite the win and must now switch their attention to Saturday’s League One clash against Northampton Town at Priestfield.

 

West Bromwich Albion line up: Palmer, Wilson, Fitzwater (c), Donnellan, McCourt, Sweeney, Harper, R Nabi, Elbouzedi (Pritchatt 71), Bradley (Soule 85), Forss (Pierce 60).

Subs not used: Rose, Piggott, Dool, Meredith.

Gillingham line up: Nelson, Cargill (Dickinson 61), Pask, Garmston (Jackson H/T, Cundle 75), Oshilaja, Knott, Oldaker, Donnelly, Emmanuel-Thomas, Byrne, Osadebe.

Subs not used: Hadler, Wright, Hessenthaler, McDonald.

Attendance: 284