Gillingham 4 Dagenham 0

GILLINGHAM eased their way into the Johnstone’s Paint semi-finals after beating Dagenham at Priestfield.

Manager Mark Stimson named a young and inexperienced side for the match but was delighted with the way they performed.

He said: “It’s great to win but it’s not just the win it’s the way we performed and I thought that was first class.

“Dagenham are a team that put you under pressure and get in your face, but our defence dealt with that, and on from that some of our football, with a group of players that were only put together in the afternoon, was absolutely first class.

“Some of the composure from the younger players was really encouraging for the football club. You've got to have legs to play this game and there was a lot of energy out there and that was encouraging.”

League 2 side Dagenham had much of the play in the first half but found themselves two behind and after having a man sent-off on the hour Gillingham cruised to victory.

The opening goal was an exquisite finish from Craig Armstrong, who cut in from the wing, before lifting a delicate lob over keeper Tony Roberts on 16 minutes.

Goal number two came on 29 minutes when Chris Dickson laid the ball off to Aaron Brown and he finished well from 15 yards.

The Gills team was vastly changed from the one last lost to Barnet on Saturday and included youth team captain Charlie Howard in the centre of midfield.

New signing Dennis Oli was on the bench but fellow newcomer Leroy Griffiths was unable to figure as his registration hadn't been completed in time.

Dagenham were reduced to 10 men on the hour after Dave Rainford fouled Charlie Howard in the box.

Rainford was sent-off and Chris Dickson converted the spot kick.

Oli claimed a debut goal on 69 minutes after Barry Cogan’s free-kick struck the post and hit keeper Roberts before Oli followed up for an easy finish.

Gillingham: Stillie, Clohessy, Cox, King, Armstrong, Stone, Howard (Bentley 83mins), Brown, Dickson, Cogan (Freeman 74mins), Hamilton (Oli 61mins). Subs: Sodje, Kiely. Attendance: 2,904