Martin Allen's side drawn against League One opposition...
Gillingham will take on Crawley Town at the Broadfield Stadium in the first round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy.
The draw was made on Saturday morning prior to the opening game of the league season live on Sky Sports' Soccer AM programme.
In last year's competition the Gills were eliminated in the second round by Barnet after a 3-1 defeat at MEMS Priestfield.
Martin Allen's side will be confident of an upset after overcoming Championship side Bristol City 2-1 in the first round of the Capital One Cup at Ashton Gate earlier in the week.
The full draw for the southern section is as follows:
Oxford v Swindon
Bristol Rovers v Yeovil
Portsmouth v Bournemouth
Exeter v Aldershot
Southend v Wimbledon
Dag & Red v Stevenage
Northampton v MK Dons
Crawley v GILLINGHAM
All ties will be played the week commencing September 3.