By Andrew Gidley

Martin Allen got the perfect 47th birthday present in the shape of his first win in charge at Gillingham.

Skipper Danny Kedwell's well-struck penalty and a debut goal for strike partner Ben Strevens set-up a Capital One Cup first round success, before City substitute Marvin Elliott pulled one back in stoppage time.

Nobody amongst the 4,000-plus crowd, including more than 200 Gills fans at Ashton Gate, could deny it was anything but deserved for Allen's (pictured) men.

Kedwell fired Gills in front from the spot in first-half stoppage time and Strevens doubled the lead nine minutes after the break.

Gills looked composed throughout against a side two divisions above them.
Kedwell broke the deadlock with a perfect spot-kick after Lism Fontaine handled in the area and Stevens doubled their advantage from close range after Tom Flanagan flicked on Charlie Allen's corner.

Youngster Bradley Dack made his Gills debut as a second-half substitute, while Adam Birchall made his first Gills appearance in a competitive game, replacing Chris Whelpdale who limped off.

Referee David Coote added on six minutes of stoppage time at the end when EllIott pulled one back for City whose poor League Cup run continued with a fourth successive first-round exit.

Gillingham: Nelson, Fish, Flanagan, Frampton, Jackman, Whelpdale (Birchall 77mins), Lee, Allen (Davies 79mins), Montrose, Kedwell, Strevens (Dack 66mins). Subs not used Forecast, Essam, Evans, Webster.
Attendance: 4,333.

Picture: Ady Kerry/GFC