Steve Lovell read the riot act to his Gills players at the break on Tuesday night.

Lovell’s team went in at half time two goals down against League 2 Carlisle United in their FA Cup second round replay.

An early goal after the break, scored by Scott Wagstaff, gave the Gills hope but finishing their chances proved a stumbling block all evening.

“The result was disappointing and so was the first half performance,” Lovell said.

“To have had most of the possession in the first half and to not take advantage of the balls in the box is disappointing. They (Carlisle) had two attempts and scored twice.

Report: Carlisle United 3 Gillingham 1

“I must admit, I did give them a bit of a rollicking at half-time, they needed it because it wasn’t good enough. We scored quickly (after the break) but it was too late, the damage was done first half.”

It was “one-way traffic” during the second half, said the Gills boss, but Carlisle maintained their first half lead.

“They defended well and their keeper looked safe in goal,” Lovell said.

“They sat deep, very deep, there was no space in behind for us to use our pace. We tried to play down the sides but they got their two wingbacks back, which stopped that.

“They tried to catch us on the break. That was their tactics and fair play to them, they did well.

“We couldn’t break them down first half. Second half we broke them down numerous times, I don’t know how many crosses we got in and how many attempts, but it was loads. We are just not finishing them off and that is frustrating.”