Gills produced a fine performance against Herne Bay but suffered a narrow 4-2 defeat on the coast.
The visitors came from a goal down twice to bring the score to 2-2, but Bay prevailed and scored a crucial fourth late on to secure the win.
Mark Moss named a strong XI at Winch’s Field, although he had to make do without Stanley Skipper and Joshua Bayliss, the latter due to injury.
Taite Holtam started in goal with Harry Bridle in attack and Harry Waldock in midfield.
The hosts, managed by former Gills boss Steve Lovell, fielded three familiar names with Ethan Smith, Jack Parter and Kane Haysman all starting. All three players came through the Gills academy program.
Herne Bay made a bright start and took the lead in the third minute when a corner kick from the right side was whipped towards the near post by Tom Hanfrey, Gills couldn’t clear and Michael Salako got the final touch from just a yard out.
Gills responded well though and were back level on 11 minutes when Waldock robbed his man in possession within Bay’s final third, he looked up and guided a precise left footed effort into the opposite corner from 18 yards out.
On the half hour mark Gills put together a fine team move with Walker spreading play to the right wing. Bridle played a neat 1-2 with Heasman which resulted in the striker having the opportunity to test Brooks from inside the box, but the Bay keeper made a good stop low to his right.
A few minutes later and Bay got themselves back in front courtesy of another set play. A free-kick wide in the right was sent right into the heart of the six-yard box by Hanfrey and Salako headed beyond Holtam to get his second goal of the evening.
Taite was called upon a few minutes later, getting low down to his right to palm away an effort for a corner which was cleared.
H/T: Herne Bay 2-1 Gillingham XI
Both sides had good possession in the early stages but it was the Gills who made the most of it, equalizing on 50 minutes. Joe Orpwood played a lovely ball out to Waldock on the right wing, his cross was trapped by Heasman.
He did well to hold off his man, get the ball out from under his feet and drilled home a low effort beyond Harry Brooks. The keeper did very well shortly after, gathering the ball as Heasman attempted to go around him and slot home. However, he was injured in the process and had to be replaced.
Just after the hour mark Herne Bay got themselves back in front when a corner kick from Parter was sent to the far post, it was headed back into the danger zone by Heard and Salako was well placed to convert from close range.
On 66 minutes Gills came within a matter of inches of equalizing again, a ball over the top forced the sub keeper to head away rather than use his hands. Heasman received the ball 30 yards out, he got the required contact but his shot was just wide of the right hand post.
Ten minutes later and Holtam made a fantastic save low to his left to make an instinctive reactive stop which had plenty of power on it, and was almost certainly heading for the bottom corner.
However, the Gills stopper could do nothing about Bay’s fourth through sub Josh Reid. From 20 yards out the forward picked his spot and produced a stunning effort which found the top left hand corner.
F/T: Herne Bay 4-2 Gillingham XI
Herne Bay: Brooks (Wilson 57), Hanfrey, Carrington (Salmon HT), F Smith, Parter, E Smith (Hassan 64), Kamara (Hammond 71), Kuchkov (Heard HT), Haysman (Stuart 71), Wright (Saunders 60), Salako (Reid 60)
Unused subs: None
Gills: Holtam, Webster, Dobbs, Trialist (Booth 82), Walker, Orpwood, Heasman, Dayal, Clark (Beszant 51), Bridle (Cross 82), Waldock
Unused subs: Sullivan, Thebe, Carruthers
