Febian Brandy tries to get away from the Burton defence Picture Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Curtis Weston’s second half strike against Burton at Priestfield sent Gillingham into round three of the FA Cup.

Weston’s solitary strike came on 69 minutes and it was enough to see off a physical Burton side on Saturday.

The Gills had the majority of the chances and for a second time in a week they remained solid enough at the back to make a one goal lead count.

A place in the third round draw on Sunday afternoon is reward for the Gills’ victory.

Gillingham started the game brightly and in the first minute Febian Brandy went close with a shot that went just past the post.

Moments later Brandy laid the ball off for strike partner Simeon Jackson, but keeper Shane Redmond managed to get a hand to the shot, and then turned away Stuart Lewis’ powerful follow-up.

Jackson went close again with 11 minutes gone but he was denied by a last ditch tackle from Ryan Austin.

Burton were working hard and putting in some strong challenges and they came close to taking a shock lead when Guy Branston headed narrowly wide from a corner kick.

Gillingham’s early spark soon wore off and they were reduced to half chances. Lewis had sight of goal but shot well over with 35 minutes gone.

Burton were defending in numbers and Gillingham were struggling to make a breakthrough. It took 10 second half minutes for them to get another sniff at goal, as Barcham headed wide.

A great chance fell to Brandy just after the hour mark but his powerful effort was saved well by Redmond.

The patience finally paid off for Gillingham after 69 minutes when Brandy played the ball into Weston and he passed the ball into the back of the net.

Substitute Dennis Oli came close for the Gills but his shot was deflected wide and Jackson sent a half chance high into the Rainham End.

Jackson went a lot closer 10 minutes later but his shot across goal just crept past the wrong side of the post.

Gillingham boss Mark Stimson knew Saturday’s game would be tough and was delighted to make the third round draw for the second successive year.

He said: “Certain people might have come to the game thinking it would be a three or four nil win but I didn’t.

“We had to earn the win and we were tested physically. To get into the third round again is a fantastic achievement and I’m delighted for the players.

“Defensively we were strong and we had to be. Curtis’ finish was fantastic for the goal and he’s getting a nice goal tally now.

“Fingers crossed for Sunday’s draw that we get a top Premiership team away.”

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Palmer (Nutter 69mins), Gowling, Fry, Lewis (Oli 69mins), Bentley, Weston, Barcham, Jackson, Brandy (McCammon 89mins). Subs not used: Maher, Julian, Rooney, Payne.

Burton: Redmond, Webster, Branston, Simpson, James, McGrath, Harrad (Pearson 69mins), Austin (Brown 14mins), Penn, Cadogan (Makofo 65mins), Kabba. Subs not used: Poole, Stride, Maghoma, Walker.

Attendance: 4,996