Gillingham 2 Plymouth 1

Gillingham’s impressive start to the season continued after knocking Championship side Plymouth out of the Carling Cup.

Goals at the end of the first half from Simeon Jackson and Andy Barcham sent them on their way to the second round for the first time in four years.

A goal early on in the second half from Luke Summerfield failed to get Plymouth going and it will be Gills’ name in the hat for the next round.

Jackson opened the scoring for the Gills after 43 minutes when an interchange of passes between Barcham and Curtis Weston left the defence standing and Saturday’s hat-trick hero was there to convert.

Just two minutes later the lead was doubled as Barcham sneaked in at the far post to head home Chris Palmer’s corner kick (goal celebration pictured).

Earlier in the first half former Gills loan keeper Romain Larrieu had to race from his line to stop Barcham in his tracks and he made an even better save to prevent a clearance from defender David McNamee going into his own net.

It was a lively first half and Plymouth were rocked when the Gills hit them with two late goals.

The lead was halved when Garry Richards was adjudged to have fouled on the edge of the box and Luke Summerfield converted from 20 yards with a low drive.

There were less clear-cut chances in the second half, following a free-flowing first, and mid-way through Simon Royce had to be alert to hang onto Karl Duguid’s long range effort.

Larrieu made another good save after defender Gary Sawyer had let substitute Mark McCammon through. The keeper did just enough to see the ball out to safety.

In injury-time Plymouth’s Jamie Mackie shot wide when in the clear and Gills deservedly progressed.

Gills boss Mark Stimson said: "We weren't sure what sort of side Plymouth would put out but when we saw the team sheet we could tell they were taking it seriously.

"Their manager went on record to say they wanted to progress and that was no different to us. We rested a couple and brought in some experienced players and full credit to the players.

"In the first half Plymouth had a lot of the ball and caused us a few problems without really hurting us. The move of the match led to our first goal and it was great play by Curtis Weston with a little one two and the little man was in the right area to put it away. To get a second one before half-time was great but we knew the second half would be difficult.

"Conceding that early goal put us up against it but full credit to our players, like they should they gave absolutely everything.

"I keep going on about it but there are some quality players here and we can surprise a few teams."

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Nutter, Richards, Gowling, Maher (McCammon 73mins), Weston, Palmer (Rooney 79mins), Miller, Barcham, Jackson. Subs not used: Julian, Erskine, Wynter, Yussuff, Payne.

Plymouth: Larrieu, Seip, Sawyer, Paterson, Mackie, Fallon, Duguid, Maclean (Noone 75mins), McNamee, Summerfield (Barnes 80mins), Judge. Subs not used: Letheren, Clark (Judge 75mins), Arnason, Mason, McCrory.

Attendance: 3,306