LUIS CUMBERS had the misfortune to miss Gillingham’s vital penalty on Tuesday night but the future remains bright for the youngster.

Gills manager Mark Stimson was impressed with the striker’s attitude since returning from a loan at Grays and is keen to get him on a permanent deal.

"He’s got a future," said Stimson. "He’s on a third year scholarship here and we’ll probably turn him into a pro in the next couple of months.

"He showed me in the time he was on that he’s got something. He’s got a willingness to run at people and his hold up play was good."

Cumbers missed the fifth of his side’s penalties on Tuesday and with MK Dons netting all of theirs, Gillingham crashed out, but nobody was faulting the 19-year-old for stepping up.

Stimson said: "Straight after the game I went to him and said, 'look forget about it, it's gone, you're not going to be able to change it'.

"Well done for stepping up and taking the penalty. I did ask a couple of senior players but they said no. I can understand why because it is a nerve-racking experience."