Gillingham fought back to secure a second 3-1 win at Southend United in the space of four days.

Justin Edinburgh’s side triumphed at Roots Hall on the opening day of the League One season on Saturday and they again came back from going behind to a Stephen McLaughlin goal to also win in the opening round of the EFL Cup.

Gills lost Max Ehmer and Bradley Dack to injuries in the first half and then suffered a further blow in the 34th minute when McLaughlin bundled the ball home after Jakub Sokolik had headed down a Ryan Leonard throw.

The visitors hit back to equalise in the 56th minute when Billy Knott’s right wing cross found Cody McDonald who thundered the ball into the back of the net from eight yards.

But the introduction of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas then swayed the match in Gillingham’s favour as he fired a 25-yard shot into the bottom right hand corner of the net in the 74th minute.

The on-loan QPR striker – who also netted at Roots Hall on Saturday – then also completed the scoring two minutes from time with another cool finish.

Gillingham will find out who they will face next at about 10pm on Wednesday night when the Second Round draw is made on Sky Sports.

They’ll now switch their attention to maintaining their unbeaten start to the season with Bury coming to Priestfield on Saturday, but will face an anxious wait on scans for both Ehmer and Dack.

Southend United line up: Oxley, Demetriou, White, Sokolik, Coker, O’Neill, Leonard, King (Williams 87), McLaughlin (McGlashan 79), Mooney (Bridge 79), Cox.

Subs not used: Smith, Thompson, Barrett, Atkinson.

Goal: McLaughlin (34).

Booked: King (53)

Gillingham line up: Nelson, Jackson, Konchesky, Ehmer (Oshilaja 17), Pask, Knott, Hessenthaler, Wright, Dack (Osadebe 30), Quigley (Emmanuel-Thomas 63), McDonald.

Subs not used: Hadler, Oldaker, Byrne, Donnelly.

Goals: McDonald (56), Emmanuel-Thomas (74) & (88).

Booked: Wright (42), Oshilaja (45+3)

Referee: Mr Tim Robinson

Attendance: 3,175 (359 Gills)