By Matthew Panting

Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler declared himself satsified with their second pre-season friendly at Bromley on Saturday, despite another 2-1 defeat.

The Gills lost to Blue Square Bet South opposition for the second time in less than 24 hours after going down by the same scoreline at Braintree on Friday night.

But Hessenthaler was pleased with his players, particularly those in the first half where ex-Woking and Welling defender Tony Sinclair was the only trialist on display.

"The first half was what I was looking for, they hardly got into our half," said Hessenthaler.

"We didn't create much but that's what we've got to work on on the training ground.

"Second half, we got off to a slow start and had to (try to) claw it back. Young Connor (Essam) has just turned pro but after his mistake he reacted the right way.

"We got a lot out of it and that's the key."

Keeper Alan Julian played a second successive 90 minutes but Hessenthaler again changed all his outfield players at half-time, with three new trialists on display.

Former Reading academy youngster Oliver Kelly came on at right-back, ex-Gills and Ebbsfleet midfielder Craig Stone was introduced at the break and Youssef Bourezghi - a teenager from Dubai who was recommended by Carlton Palmer - replaced the injured Dean Rance midway through the second half.

Luke Rooney stood out for the Gills in a goalless first half, although the lack of a cutting edge was plain to see as Simeon Jackson was again missing from the squad.

Bromley's only opening came on the stroke of half-time but Luke L'Anson shot weakly at Julian.

After the break, Bromley's Nic McDonnell was somehow denied by Julian after Tony Finn's cross but he did find a way through on 66 minutes, firing home after an error by Connor Essam.

Bromley scored a second goal when Jon Scarborough found space between Fola Onibuje and Bourezghi to volley home unmarked with 17 minutes left.

Gillingham pulled a goal back after 78 minutes, Onibuje heading from close range after good work by Andy Barcham.

The visitors could have levelled the scores late on but Barcham was denied a tap-in when Scarborough cleared trialist Serge Makofo's cross.

Picture: Avenellphotos.com