Gillingham pulled off an FA Cup shock at Priestfield thanks to Elliott List’s late strike.

Premier League Cardiff bossed the possession stats but Gillingham’s leading scorer Tom Eaves went close in the first half and Josh Parker almost netted in the second.

Nathaniel Mendez-Laing struck the bar for Cardiff but the Gills took the lead late on through List.

Callum Reilly hit the woodwork in the last minute for Gillingham but they didn’t need a second, as List’s effort was enough to take them through to round four, pocketing £135,000 in winnings thanks to the win.

Reaction from Gills boss Steve Lovell after their historic win

Cardiff, as expected, made a number of changes. Just four players players who started their league game against Spurs were named in the XI to face the Gills.

The Gills came into the came off the back of a defeat at Southend but the performance impressed boss Steve Lovell and aside from injured Billy Bingham, the team was unchanged. Elliott List came in for Bingham.

It was List who had an early chance for the Gills in a first half where they were forced to defend for large periods. Space opened up for List but the shot wasn’t able to trouble visiting keeper Alex Smithies.

Tomas Holy, in the Gills goal, made two great saves in the opening half. He spread himself well to deny Joe Bennett after the defence was opened up. Cardiff captain Sean Morrison nearly saw his header creep in but Holy stuck out a hand to dent him.

Cardiff kept the pressure up and for a long period Tom Eaves was looking like an isolated figure upfront for the Gills.

Towards the end of the half things began to change, however. Bradley Garmston put in a couple of great crosses. His first was missed by Eaves, who was flagged offside anyway, but another chance just before the half should have been finished.

Luke O’Neill did well to find List who in turn set Garmston off down the left flank but when the cross came in, Eaves could only head over.

Gillingham survived a few early scares in the second half. Gabriel Zakuani slipped while under pressure from Callum Paterson, they then had a let off after Eaves completely missed a clearance from infront of goal and Joe Ralls had a low shot saved.

The home side had a great spell themselves, with O’Neill’s shot going close before his cross was almost turned home by Josh Parker at the near post.

Cardiff sub Josh Murphy got in on goal at the other end as the match really opened up, beating Zakuani to the ball but a combination of the defender, Holy and the woodwork denied the forward of scoring the opener.

Vital blocks from Zakuani and Mark Byrne thwarted Cardiff and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing fired a shot wide, before going much closer moments later, with an effort from the edge of the box that rattled the crossbar.

Gillingham took an 81st minute lead through List, the forward firing home from 15 yards after Eaves’ ball was played into his path.

Reilly hit the bar for the Gills in the last minute and Paterson headed just over for the visitors in stoppage-time.

Gillingham: Holy, O’Neill, Garmston, Ogilvie, Lacey, Zakuani, Reilly, Byrne, List, Parker, Eaves. Subs not used: Hadler, Hanlan, Charles-Cook, Nasseri, Simpson, Mbo, Rees.

Cardiff City: Smithies, Peltier, Bennett, Morrison, Manga, Ralls, Paterson, Decordova-Reid (Ward 74mins), Mendez-Laing, Damour (Hoilett 90mins), Harris (J Murphy 54mins). Subs not used: B Murphy, Cunningham, Cox, Humphries.

Attendance: 7,090 (642 away)