Olly Lee scored with a cheeky backheel and Jordan Green excelled as Gillingham enjoyed their night against Premier League Crystal Palace.

Palace had their stars on show and Wilfried Zaha scored the opener before feeding Christian Benteke for the second but it was Gills’ free transfer signing Jordan Green that dazzled in the box to produce a couple of goals for Olly Lee. Green unfortunately gave away the penalty that led to Palace’s third, fouling Zaha and he converted from the spot.

Palace named some of their big-guns for the pre-season match at Priestfield, starting with a forward line that included Benteke, Zaha and £1m striker Luke Plange. England international defender Marc Guehi also started.

If Gills wanted a warm-up for the season ahead this was it. On what was the country’s hottest day on record, the temperature inside Priestfield was still around the mid-30s when the teams kicked off.

Gillingham were without Ben Reeves and former Palace player Stuart O’Keefe but did include new left-back Ryan Law in their starting XI. Law almost created an early opening for the Gills but Scott Kashket was unable to control his inviting ball into the box.

Palace, as expected, were knocking the ball around and with 12 minutes played they took the lead, Cheye Alexander backing off as Zaha - jeered by the home fans from the first whistle - worked his way towards goal before picking out the bottom corner.

Drinks breaks were taken at 15 minute intervals, giving players a welcome breather. Gillingham barely got a touch from the first break to when the excellent Zaha picked out Benteke and he stuck in the second goal without too much fuss with 22 on the clock.

Dom Jefferies went close with an effort from outside the box for the Gills as they managed to contain Palace for the remainder of the half and had moments of their own without testing the visiting keeper Owen Goodman.

Gillingham’s goal back on 50 minutes came from Green’s fancy footwork in the box, picking out half-time sub Joe Gbode who kept it alive and found Lee who finished with a back-heel.

Green tested the visiting keeper from distance with an hour gone and things started getting spicey under the lights as Zaha and Dom Jefferies clashed infront of the 1000-odd visiting fans.

Palace then conceded a 66th penalty as Green was fouled in the box, with Lee converting to level the scores.

There was a good atmopshere inside Priestfield and it was the Palace fans celebrating a third with 72 minutes gone, Green showing a bit to much enthusiasm with a challenge on Zaha. He picked himself up to score his second of the night.

Will Wright went close to equalising again for Gills while at the other end Max Ehmer - returning from a back injury - made a couple of last-ditch challenges to deny John-Kymani Gordon and Fionn Mooney a goal after a defensive mistake.

Two-goal Zaha showed his class at the end by signing numerous autographs for the youngsters in the home section, long after being substituted.

Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Law (Tutonda 62mins), Ehmer, Baggott (Wright 62mins), Williams (Akehurst 73mins), Jefferies, Green (MacArthur 73mins), Lee, Kashket (MacDonald 62mins), Mandron (Gbode 46mins). Subs not used: Holtam, Moore, Carter.

Crystal Palace: Goodman, D Boateng (Wells-Morrison 68mins), Sheridan, Guehi (Gordon 68mins), Riedewald (Addae 68mins), Doucoure (Bartley 68mins), Eze (McArthur 68mins), Schlupp (Hughes 68mins), Plange (Mooney 80mins), Benteke (Watson 68mins), Zaha (Cardogan 80mins). Subs not used: Whitworth, Vigor.

Attendance: 3,033 (1,045 away)