Gillingham were knocked out of the Carling Cup at the first round stage after surrendering a one goal advantage at Norwich on Tuesday night.

The Gills stunned the Championship side by taking the lead after 12 minutes through Chris Palmer, but Norwich hit back.

Before Palmer opened the scoring with a low shot the hosts had hit the woodwork when David Fox struck the post.

Adebayo Akinfenwa could have doubled the lead on 24 minutes when his flick from Danny Spiller’s free-kick struck the underside of the bar.

Norwich made Gillingham pay for the miss when Grant Holt put fellow striker Chris Martin through and he finished with 26 minutes on the clock.

Just six minutes later and Norwich went ahead as Russell Martin’s cross was headed home by Holt.

Chris Martin hit a shot against the bar just before the break but 10 minutes into the second half Holt tapped home his second from close range to make it 3-1.

Norwich made it four in injury-time when Oli Johnson won the ball and Martin slotted home the loose ball.

Gills: Julian, Sinclair, Nutter, Gowling, Bentley, J Payne (Maher 42 mins), Spiller, Palmer, Rooney (S Payne 71), Barcham, Akinfenwa (White 84mins). Subs: Cronin, Jackman, Essam.

Attendance: 13,068.

Danny Spiller tries to find his way past two Norwich players, above. Picture: Antony Kelly Norwich Evening News