Four goals from Cardiff's Robert Earnshaw sent Gillingham crashing to a 5-0 defeat.

Peter Thorne opened the scoring for the Welsh side in the 17th minute when he headed home a Rhys Weston cross.

Earnshaw then scored from a goalmouth scramble, a clever chip and a penalty as he helped himself to a first half hat-trick.

The Welsh striker then made it 5-0 when he followed up a Willie Boland chip that Chris Hope had headed on to his own bar.

It was a disappointing day all round for Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler. He was asked to leave the bench by the referee after an argument in the 35th minute and although he returned as a substitute five minutes later his only major contribution was to get booked for a foul on John Robinson.

Marlon King had Gills best chance in the 63rd minute when his blistering shot was turned round the post by Neil Alexander.