Football fans poured into Priestfield for Gillingham’s big cup clash.

A brave performance from Mark Stimson's men saw them pull level with the Premier League high fliers in the second half.

But a late penalty denied them the chance to be in the hat for the fourth round draw.

More than 11,000 filled the ground for the club’s first sell-out match since 11,418 fans crammed in to watch the Championship clash with West Ham in September 2002.

It wass the first time a top flight team had played in a cup competition at Priestfield since Gillingham played Portsmouth in the League Cup in September 2005.

The pain of defeat will be soothed by a £250,000 cash bonanza for the Gills.

It was also a bonus for businesses around the ground which did a brisk trade before and after the game.

Bob and Debbie Austin, who manage the Livingstone Arms, in Livingstone Circus said the pub had been really busy before the match.

Debbie said: “This is the biggest game since we’ve been here.

The place was packed before the match and as we are an away supporters pub we had lots of away fans in.

They were as good as gold and were mixing with the Gillingham fans.

The nearby Gillingham Fish Bar, also in Livingstone Circus, opened especially for the match.

See our sports section for match reports, audio, video and lots of pictures

Fans enjoy FA Cup atmosphere - in pictures