Gillingham were eliminated from the Kent Senior Cup on Tuesday evening following a 3-1 defeat to Ebbsfleet at the Kuflink Stadium.
Jephte Tanga, on at the break for Fleet, scored two goals within ten second-half minutes to put the hosts in control of the tie. Alex Giles had given Gills the lead but the visitors were pegged back before the interval when a low drilled cross was guided home by Greg Cundle.
Mark Moss named a young side for the fixture with Taite Holtam starting in goal. Stanley Skipper and Joshua Bayliss have both recovered from recent injuries and were fit enough to start, as was Harry Waldock.
Harry Bridle and Stan Sargent lined up in attack. Jimmy Heasman was named among the subs.
Ebbsfleet fielded a familiar face in their XI with former Gills striker Cundle in the team.
Gills took the lead with the first effort on goal for either side. A Jonah Walker free-kick from the left was a good one, a defender went to clear but could only swipe at it. The ball struck the post and the Captain on the night was there to blast home the rebound.
The next opportunity was created just prior to the 20-minute mark, and it fell for the visitors. Bayliss pressed high and did well to win possession in a dangerous area. He came forward, shifted to his left and saw a shot well saved by Dylan Berry.
Ebbsfleet had their first chances on 28 minutes. Wes Fonguck’s shot was deflected just wide for a corner. This was cleared as far as Jack Wakely whose drilled shot from just outside the box went past the left post.
With five minutes left of the half Ebbsfleet finally made their pressure count when a cross from the left by Fonguck was met by the sprinting Cundle, who fired home from close range giving Holtam no chance.
H/T: Ebbsfleet 1-1 Gillingham
Fleet were awarded a penalty on 55 minutes when Walker was judged to have fouled his man inside the box.
Jephte Tanga, on at the interval, got plenty of power on his spot kick and, although Holtam went the right way, there was too much on it and it nestled in the bottom corner.
Less than ten minutes later and the sub added a second. On the right hand side of the penalty area the forward received possession, allowed the ball to run before sending a powerful shot across Holtam and into the corner of the net.
Following a few changes the Gills began to settle and nearly set up a tense finale when Ben Clark, on for Bayliss, stung the palms of Dylan Berry. The midfielder decided to shoot from 20 yards, he got plenty of power on it, but the keeper was down quickly and palmed it clear.
A cross from Clark not long after was inches away from being met by Bridle, but Fleet held out to secure a place in round three.
F/T: Ebbsfleet 3-1 Gillingham
Ebbsfleet: Berry, Lawson, Fonguck (Domi 46). Randall (Manktelow 46), Ondo (Dallison 67), Olagunju, Wakely (Tanga 46), Tanner, Anthony, Omole, Cundle
Unused subs: Firth
Gills: Holtam, Gale, Giles, Dobbs (Heasman 65), Webster, Walker, Skipper, Bayliss (Clark 74), Waldock, Sargent (White 82), Bridle
Unused subs: Sullivan, Orpwood
Attendance: 410
Referee: Mr Nick Dunn
