Gillingham’s youngsters are through to the Third Round of the FA Youth Cup after a shootout win over Forest Green Rovers under the MEMS Priestfield floodlights. 

Gennaro Bifulco gave the visitors an early lead, but Michael Luxton soon levelled before Sullivan Booth put Joe Dunne’s side ahead only for Billy Glover to force extra-time.

The extra period passed eventually, and the tie was decided on spot kicks in front of a near totally deserted Rainham End and after keeper Fletcher Heggarty saved brilliantly two of the visitor’s efforts, Zak Whitelock held his nerve to send the young Gills into Round Three. 

Rovers took the lead in the opening minutes when Bifulco slotted home, but the response was nearly instant as Luxton superbly beat keeper Callum Godfrey into the bottom corner. 

The tie developed into an intriguing battle which progressed into the second period until a wonderful piece of skill from Booth put the home side in front. A clearance fell to the Gills man, who produced some amazing skill to flick the ball over his own head before drilling the ball into the net beyond the keeper. 

But just as the home fans thought that Gillingham finally had the edge, Rovers scored again as Glover picked the ball up on the edge of the box and beat Heggarty with a low shot into the corner. 

Both sides had chances to win the tie in the ninety minutes – Luxton’s header superbly saved by Godfrey whilst somehow Glover missed the Gills net with it at his mercy. 

To extra time – eventually – as it appeared that the officials were setting up for spot-kicks after the final whistle, but extra time needed to be played first though there were few clear chances with arguably the best one falling to Rovers Zemen Osawe, but Heggarty kept the Gills in the competition with a great save. 

And the young keeper was to be the hero in the shoot-out saving the first two Rovers efforts and with Louie Dayal, Carruthers and Sam Sargent, all scored it fell to Whitelock to send the Gills through, and he did so with some aplomb. 

And it’s another home draw for Dunne’s charges as Stevenage now head to Kent in the next round. 

GILLINGHAM – Hegarty, Grant (Whitelock), Jones, James, Adams, Luxton, Cross (Erskine), Booth (Carruthers), Beszant, Dayal, Sargent.

Subs – Spencer, Palmer, Surrey, Kingston.

FOREST GREEN ROVERS – Godfrey, Walsh, Conteh (Badham), Walsh, Campbell, Glover, Trigg, Robinson (Hewlett), Bifulco (Hine), Stiles, Williams (Osawe).

Subs – Connor, Hewlett, Rehmanwala.

REFEREE – Mr Cutler 

Picture supplied by Gillingham Football Club.