Bromley bowed out of the Kent Senior Cup at the first time of asking as they conceded a goal in either half to a strong Gillingham team, but it could have been different but for a penalty save with ten minutes to go.
On a windy night at Hayes Lane, Bromley started the brighter with Ollie Tanner firing over from close range on two occasions, but The Gills then settled from there and had a good spell of their own.
Mark Marshall just curled over a free kick after Alan Dunne had fouled Mikael Mandron, but they went one better on 24 minutes when Henry Woods hit a powerful effort from the edge of the box, which just went inside the far post to give Gillingham the lead.
Bromley tried to battle back when Chris Bush sent in a long throw for Jordan Higgs, but the midfielder was off target with his effort. Brandon Young-Chambers then played in Adam Mekki, but his shot was saved by Joe Walsh.
The Ravens continued to press with Michael Klass sending in a chip from 40 yards which left Walsh stranded, but just landed on the roof of the net. Mekki went close again before Bush played a long ball to Adrian Clifton who flicked his header against the bar from ten yards out.
Right on half time The Gills almost made it two when Regan Charles-Cook’s lob was tipped over by Bromley keeper Tarek Najia.
Bromley started the second half on top with Clifton turning sharply in the box only to have his shot saved by Walsh. Bush had a header saved from the resulting corner before Clifton linked up with Mekki only to see another effort saved by The Gills keeper and when he played the rebound to Louis-Michael Yamfam the young winger was judged to be offside as he drilled the ball home.
Gillingham responded with Charles-Cook playing a superb ball to Mandron who clipped his effort just wide of the post. Najia then made a brave save at the feet for Charles-Cook, before several substitutions halted the run of play.
With ten minutes to go another spell of Bromley pressure saw Tanner brought down in the box by Bradley Garmston and referee Mr Packman awarded a penalty.
After some dispute over the kick Mekki eventually stepped up, but his low shot was palmed away by Walsh for a corner. The missed opportunity was then made worse for Bromley as The Gills went straight up the other end and made it 2-0 with Charles-Cook driving the ball in off the far post from just inside the area to kill the game off.
The Gills now head into round three while Bromley have a break of eleven days before they travel to Barrow for a top of the table clash in the National League on 18th January.
Bromley: Najia, Higgs, Mekki, Dunne (Arthurs 67), Bush, Tanner, Klass, Clifton (Phillips 72), Ojeman, Young-Chambers (Kirunda 62), Yamfam.
Subs: Craske, Spencer.
Gillingham: Walsh, Hodson, Garmston, Baker, Fernandez, Mandron (Willock 75), Charles-Cook, Cisse, Pringle, Marshall (Bancroft 75), Woods.
Subs Not Used: Walker, Witt, Bramble.
Goals: Woods 24, Charles-Cook 82mins.
Referee: Mr Jack Packman
Attendance: 349