Gillingham have a mountain to climb in the second half after being stunned by a 26-minute hat-trick by Cardiff's Robert Earnshaw.

Gillingham found themselves a goal down after just 17 minutes when Peter Thorne headed home a Rhys Weston cross.

Then Earnshaw found his scoring touch, making it 2-0 after stabbing home from close range two minutes later.

A clever free kick by Weston allowed Earnshaw to make it 3-0 on 34 minutes and he completed his hat-trick with a penalty in first half injury time.

Gills player boss was sent to the stands by the referee in the 35th minute but returned as a substitute five minutes later, replacing Danny Spiller.

He will have his work cut out to bring his side back into this game against an impressive Cardiff.