A last gasp Max Ehmer free kick was enough to give Gillingham victory in the Checkatrade Trophy clash at Colchester United.

With a much changed team to the side that lost at Blackburn Rovers at the weekend, The Gills came out on top in the second of their group games that sees them qualify for the knockout phase.

Sean Murray registered Colchester’s first goal attempt, although his speculative 25-yarder rolled harmlessly wide of the target and Steve Arnold’s goal.

The visitors went much closer on the quarter-hour mark. Front-runner Elliot List sneaked behind the U’s three-man defence and fired in an angled drive which Sam Walker managed to finger-tip beyond his far post.

Five minutes later and Sanmi Odelusi, operating behind the front two of Guthrie and Mikael Mandron, sliced a first-team shot several yards over the bar from a promising position.

Steve Arnold was forced into his first save in the 25th minute. Left wing-back Lewis Kinsella powered onto Mandron’s pass and connected sweetly with a low shot which Arnold did well to smother on his goal-line.

A minute later and Walker denied the Gills an opener with a wonderful save. Sean Clare’s dipping 25-yarder was heading for the roof of the net until the U’s keeper stuck out a hand to divert the ball over the bar.

Otherwise, chances dried up until Mandron tried his luck with a long-range thunderbolt, in first-half stoppage-time. The ball flew straight into Arnold’s arms.

The hosts went close when Murray’s 47th minute free-kick was deflected wide of the far post with Kane Vincent-Young not far from diverting home while at full stretch.

Tom Eaves squandered the best chance of the match when the big striker ballooned a shot over the bar from just eight yards out, just before the hour mark.

At the other end, Odelusi had a goal-bound shot parried by keeper Arnold, who was well off his goal-line, with Murray firing the rebound only a foot wide of the far upright.

The winner came in the dying moments though as Ehmer’s free kick from outside the area somehow nestled in the bottom corner to the delight of the travelling 69 Gillingham fans.

Colchester United line up: Walker, Kent, James, Kpekawa, Vincent-Young, Comley, Murray, Kinsella, Odelusi (Slater 78), Guthrie (Kabamba H/T), Mandron (sub Senior, 60).

Subs not used: Gilmartin, Jackson, Hanlan, O’Sullivan.

Gillingham line up: Arnold, Omara, Ehmer, Nugent,  Clare (Chapman 73), Hessenthaler, Oldaker, Simpson, List (Bingham H/T), Parker (Nash 82), Eaves.

Subs not used: Nelson, Cundle, Starkey, Tucker.

Referee: John Brooks.

Attendance: 684 (69 Gills)