Assistant boss David Kerslake was hurting after Gillingham went out of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on penalties.

It’s a competition that has its critics but Gills were desperate to put on a performance against Yeovil on Tuesday night after their FA Cup shocker at Stevenage.

Gills were lucky to be level at half-time but finished strongly in a 1-1 draw before losing 5-4 on penalties to Paul Sturrock’s League 2 strugglers.

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Kerslake was at least happier with Gills’ second-half performance in the area quarter-final.

He said: “First half I’m sure it was there for everybody to see we didn’t play well. Too many individuals not on their game, the system we played we changed it at half-time to a flat back four and I thought that helped us and got us right back in the game.

“We were in the ascendancy second half. They’ve had one chance but we’ve tried to go and win the game and we could possibly have done it.

“We’ve had a few chances, a few good shots, the keeper’s made some good saves. We kept going but it wasn’t to be.

“We knew they’d be up for it. Paul Sturrock’s teams are organised and hardworking.

“They were giving us a problem down the sides so that’s why the gaffer changed it at half-time and we certainly got better.

“It doesn’t soften the blow because we’re out of the competition. It hurts like hell but in 90 minutes we remain unbeaten here and we’ve got a big game coming up Saturday.”