Gillingham pile on the pressure against Middlesbrough Picture: Barry Goodwin

By Andrew Gidley

Gillingham’s unbeaten four-match run came to an end as goals by Mustapha Carayol and Cameron Park carried Middlesbrough into the third round of the Capital One Cup at Priestfield on Tuesday night.

Gills goalkeeper Stuart Nelson had already kept out efforts from Marvin Emnes and Carayol, before the latter put the Championship visitors ahead after 23 minutes. Nothing seemed on when he broke from halfway, going past two challenges before firing home.

Moments earlier he kicked out an advertising hoarding at the Rainham End in frustration and was roundly booed for the rest of the night by the home fans, before being replaced with 23 minutes left.

Gills were forced to make an early change with Chris Whelpdale replacing Charlie Lee, who picked up a knock but didn’t look too happy to be replaced.

Adam Barrett headed over the bar, but Danny Jackman’s 30-yard effort was the first to test Boro keeper Jason Steele nine minutes before half-time.

Burton headed Nelson’s long kick over the bar, and then Kedwell seemed to be impeded in the area, but nothing was given.

Carayol went close to getting a second four minutes after the break when his shot deflected off a post, Nelson punched clear, and Barrett was forced to head over his own bar.

Burton tried his luck from 40 yards before Kedwell had Gills best chance of the night, shooting wide from his strike partner’s flick.

Gills pressed forward looking for a way back without success, and Park made sure with a neat finish right on full-time, finding acres of space to chip over Nelson.

Charlie Allen was the night’s only caution as referee Gavin Ward added seven minutes on at the end.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish (Strevens 71mins), Davies, Barrett, Martin, Payne, Lee (Whelpdale 10mins), Jackman (Dack 53mins), Allen, Kedwell, Burton.