Cambridge 1Gillingham 2

NYRON NOSWORTHY'S spectacular winner five minutes from the end sent Gilingham through to Saturday's second round draw of the Carling Cup in a night of high drama at Cambridge last night.

Gillingham appeared to be heading out of the competition after Cambridge took a 28th minute lead through Justin Walker's well-crafted goal which looked good enough to win the game as the visitors struggled to put any semblance of a passing game together.

They were given an undeserved lucky break in the 73rd minute when Cambridge goalkeeper Shaun Marshall made a hash of collecting John Hills' deep cross that gave the former Blackpool defender his first goal for the club. Gillingham's joy was short-lived as substitute Tommy Johnson was sent off for a challenge on Cambridge striker Dave Kitson in the 83rd minute.

But their mood changed against two minute later when Nosworthy lashed home an angled drive from a cross by Hills that sealed a fortuitous win.

Attendance: 3,044.