GILLINGHAM'S mini-revival hit the buffers with Tuesday night's 3-0 defeat at the hands of leaders Norwich at Carrow Road (Tony Hudd writes).

Having beaten fellow strugglers Nottingham Forest and won a point with a patched up side at Preston on Saturday,depleted Gillingham found Norwich too hard a nut to crack.

They were not helped by the 26th minute dismissal of centre-back Barry Ashby who was ordered off after holding back Darren Huckerby.

There was little to choose between the two until Norwich found their goal touch midway through the second half when they stunned Gillingham with three goals in four minutes.

Luckless Alan Pouton put through his own goal in the 62nd. Gillingham had no time to recover as substitute Phil Mulryne headed a second from Paul McVeigh's cross in the 65th.

When McVeigh made it 3-0 with a beautifully placed shot in the 67th, Gillingham were down and out.

Attendance: 23,198.