Ashley Miller and Andy Sambrook race to get to the ball first Picture: Barry Goodwin

By Matthew Panting

A Bradley Dack own goal three minutes into injury time ended Gillingham's interest in the Kent Senior Cup at the first hurdle on Monday.

The Gills fielded a mixture of reserve and youth-team players against a strong Welling team in a game that saw two spot-kicks and a number of heated exchanges.

A quiet opening half-hour came to life when Welling right-back Andy Sambrook clashed with Ashley Miller. Sambrook reacted to Miller's foul by appearing to push him in the face, which prompted Stefan Payne to come rushing in and bundle over Sambrook. On another day it would have been at least two red cards, instead referee Ian Crouch cautioned all three players.

Nathan Nyaflii went close from long range for Gills while Jack Parkinson saw his effort cleared off the line just before half-time.

Gills started the second half brightly and were rewarded with a penalty when Miller was fouled by substitute Jack Taylor. Stefan Payne, the most experienced player in the Gills line-up, tucked away the spot-kick.

Payne went close to doubling the lead, as did Jake Hessenthaler, before a lapse in concentration saw ex-Gills Luis Cumbers get behind Callum Davies, who pulled him back inside the box.

Referee Crouch pointed to the spot and showed Davies a yellow card before Lee Clarke slotted in the 69th-minute equaliser from the penalty.

Thereafter, it was Welling who had the upper hand with player/boss Jamie Day trying his luck from distance and Luis Cumbers impressing against his former club.

Another flashpoint saw Joe Healy cautioned for retaliation before, with extra-time looming, the game was decided when Tamer Tuna worked his way down the right and delivered an excellent cross that Dack (pictured) could only divert past his own keeper.

Welling travel to Dover in the next round.

Welling: Ross, Sambrook (Taylor 46mins), Johnson, Day, Acheampong, Parkinson, Conteh (Kensington 66mins), Clarke, Tuna, Cumbers, Healy. Subs not used: Pugh, Moore, Martin.

Gillingham: Gazzaniga, Evans, Carter, Rance (Parter 77mins), Essam, Davies, Dack, Hessenthaler, S Payne, Nyaflii, Miller (Haysman 81mins). Subs not used: Butcher, Millbank, Bourne.

Attendance: 206.

Picture: Barry Goodwin