Gillingham's Luke O’Neill was pleased to give his missus something to smile about on Saturday.

The right-back fired the Gills ahead just five minutes into their FA Cup match against Carlisle.

O’Neill’s partner and his children, including his youngster at just two-months-old, were there to see it.

He said: “Before the game I said to the missus that I was going to score a free-kick. It was nice to have done it.

“She knows I’m quite good at them. I was unlucky last weekend (with a 90th-minute free-kick against Oldham that hit the bar) but it was good to score this time.

“She was there with the baby watching and it was nice for them to see.”

Few people realised O’Neill’s quality from a dead ball before almost nicking a late winner against Oldham last weekend, including boss Steve Lovell.

Only a finger-tip save from the keeper denied him glory that day, and he’s now jumped the queue when it comes to taking set pieces from the edge of the box.

“Max (Ehmer) might have half wanted it but I took it and we scored,” said the 26-year-old.

“I fancy myself around the box and it’s paid off. I was unlucky not to score last weekend but it was a good goal and I was pleased.”

Gillingham were unable to add any further goals following O’Neill’s opener and Carlisle levelled to take the FA Cup second round tie to a replay.

He said: “It is a positive that we are still in the draw, we aren’t out of it. We are strong away and we have every chance to be in the next round.

“We would have liked to have got it done on Saturday but we go again and hopefully we can beat them at their place and go through to the next round.

“There was maybe a bit of disappointment (to have drawn), a little frustrating, but we had a few calls for penalties which we didn’t get.

“Carlisle are a good team, strong at the back, and it was frustrating.”