Gillingham Reserves 2 Lewes Reserves 1

Youth defender Connor Essam struck twice as Gillingham reserves beat Lewes on Wednesday afternoon at Priestfield.

Gills manager Mark Stimson named a team which included three trialists for the Combination League Central Division fixture.

Charlton right-back Sam Long was selected for the second successive Gills reserve game and the Bexley-born youngster played 90 minutes.

Also turning out for Gillingham was 19-year-old Hungarian keeper David Grof, who was recently released by SPL side Hibernian.

Stimson also named Crystal Palace first-year professional Ryan Carolan in the team.

Gillingham almost went ahead with an effort from Gary Mulligan but the shot hit the post.

The Gills went a goal behind after 25 minutes but levelled after the break, when Albert Jarrett’s corner kick was converted by Essam at the near post.

The winner came on 68 minutes, again from a corner-kick, which Jarrett played short to Mulligan before delivering a cross for Essam to score from.

Gills: Grof, Long, Daniel, Howard (Murphy 58mins), Essam, Wynter, Geering (Sargeant 58mins), Carolan, Mulligan, Rooney (Payne 73mins), Jarrett. Subs not used: Stimson, Quinn.