Simeon Jackson looks to lose his marker Picture: Grant Falvey

Gillingham 1 Blackburn 3

Gillingham’s Carling Cup exploits were ended by a ruthless performance from Premiership side Blackburn.

An early goal from David Dunn gave Sam Allardyce’s team the half-time advantage and David Hoilett added a second early in the second half to dent Gillingham’s hopes of a cup upset.

Simeon Jackson pulled one back from the penalty spot but Morten Pedersen hit back with a goal direct from a corner-kick just four minutes later.

The visiting Premier League team started the game in no-nonsense fashion with Simon Royce being called upon as early as the second minute. He produced a stunning one handed save to tip Morten Pedersen’s 25-yard free-kick around the post.

Royce was beaten just moments later though as Nikola Kalinic played David Dunn through and he finished with ease low into the net with six minutes of the match gone.

The goal failed to deter the Gills and they almost levelled on 21 minutes when Simeon Jackson’s cross was headed agonisingly wide by Mark McCammon.

Listen to Mark Stimson's thoughts after the game.

Gillingham continued to threaten with some lively football but Blackburn twice almost hit them on the break, with midfielder Hoilett putting efforts wide on each occasion.

A Barry Fuller free-kick almost got the Gills back on level terms but Brown parried the shot and McCammon’s follow-up was blocked.

Hoilett finally got a goal less than a minute into the second half when he pounced on a cross inside the area and struck decisively past Royce.

Gillingham were hanging on at the start of the second half and chances from Steven N’Zonzi and Hoilett went close.

A foul from Zurab Kiizanishvili on Jackson gave the Gills hope as the referee Kevin Friend pointed to the spot. The Gills striker remain composed and sent the ball past former home favourite Jason Brown.

Four minutes later Rovers extinguished the Gills’ hopes when Pedersen curled a corner kick past everyone and into the net.

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, Maher (Jackman 65mins), Bentley, Jackson, Barcham, Gowling, Oli (Palmer 74mins), Weston (Payne 65mins), McCammon. Subs not used: Miller, Erskine, Wynter, Julian.

Blackburn: Brown, Reid (Grella 46mins), Khizanishvili, Givet, Olsson, Nzonzi, Andrews, Dunn (Van Heerden 59mins), Hoilett, Kalinic (Roberts 46mins), Pedersen. Subs not used: Fielding, Jacobsen, Warnock, Jones.

Attendance: 7,203