Garry Richards limped out of Gillingham’s reserve defeat against QPR on Tuesday afternoon.

The Gills lost the Combination League match 2-0 but manager Mark Stimson will be more concerned about the injury picked up by his central defender midway through the second half.

Stimson is already light in defence and if Richards’ (pictured) injury proves serious then he will be forced to enter the transfer market.

He has already been given the chance to take West Ham’s Matt Fry on loan but had so far not done a deal.

The Gills boss named a strong team for the match at Aldershot’s Recreation Ground, with just one non pro in the starting ranks.

Youth player Liam Geering joined the likes of Alan Julian, John Nutter, Jack Payne, Richards and Adam Miller.

A young bench was made up of Dean Rance, Conor Quinn, Charlie Stimson and Callum Davies.

The Gills had plenty of first half opportunities with Rashid Yussuff, Nutter and Luke Rooney all coming close with various efforts.

Rangers keeper Shane McWeeney proved particularly hard to beat, as he saved from Payne and towards the end of the half Rooney and Jacob Erskine.

The Rs stepped it up after the break and with 49 minutes gone Julian blocked Romone Rose’s effort but Bewick picked up the loose ball, crossed for Antonio German and he tapped home.

Richards limped off injured after 70 minutes and was replaced by youth player Davies

Rangers extended the lead after 79 minutes when a long free-kick was collected and converted by Matteo Alberti.

Gills: Julian, Essam, Nutter, Payne, Wynter, Richards (Davies 71mins), Yussuff, Miller, Erskine (Stimson 78mins), Rooney, Geering (Rance 70mins). Sub not used: Quinn.