Gillingham’s interest in the FA Youth Cup ended on Tuesday night – when they finished their second-round tie with just nine men.

The Gills lost 2-1 to Swindon at Priestfield having played more than half the game with 10 men and the final 20 minutes with a further numerical disadvantage.

Under new youth-team boss Joe Dunne, the Gills started brightly and went close through Harry Waldock before Swindon took the lead when Botan Ameen picked his spot from 25 yards beyond keeper Carter Sullivan.

Gillingham equalised when Joe Orpwood finished over keeper Lucas Myers but his evening quickly turned sour when a second yellow card before half-time saw the hosts reduced to 10 men.

Swindon finished the half strongly and took just nine minutes after the break to make their advantage tell, Liam Hutt’s cross was converted by George Alston.

Cruz Beszant went close to an equaliser when he shot over but Gillingham’s task was made even harder when Jonah Walker saw red for a foul on Dani Gonzalez.

Gillingham resisted Swindon pressure and had a late rally at the death, Waldock was denied by Myers before Stan Sargent headed wide.

Swindon’s reward is an away trip to QPR in the third round.