The new league format for first round matches in the Checkatrade Trophy is not a hit with Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh.

Gills were watched by just 284 people as their challenge came to an end at West Brom on Tuesday night.

They beat West Brom’s under-21 side 2-0 but both teams had already been eliminated after losing their opening two group matches.

Edinburgh said: “I don’t believe the old way that it was done needed to be changed. It was fine playing those single games, with a southern and northern region. It always got reasonable crowds."

Apathy towards the competition has heightened this season since top-flight academy sides were introduced to a tournament that had previously been fought out between teams from the bottom two divisions.

The Football League Trophy has been an opportunity for those lower-ranked teams to make it to Wembley in the final and the changes to the competition this season led to many fans boycotting it.

Just over 2,000 watched Gills’ first two group games, against Millwall and Luton, but the midweek game at The Hawthorns was watched in an almost-empty stadium. Just one block of the main stand was open in a venue that holds close to 30,000.

Edinburgh said: “I am not against Premier League sides entering the competition for the experience for their young boys but I still think it has to be a one-off game, a knock-out competition, north and south, then meet in the final. It was fine as it was.”

Tuesday’s paltry crowd – which included scouts and press in the figure, along with around nine travelling fans - came just days after Gillingham recorded a record low FA Cup attendance last Saturday.

The crowd of 2,410 was the lowest-ever figure at Priestfield for a game in the proper rounds of the competition.