Gillingham were second best to Crystal Palace under-21s at Priestfield in their EFL Trophy group-stage match.

Palace were two up at the break with goals from Jemiah Umolu and Franco Umeh before Hindolo Mustapha added a third early in the second half. Marcus Wyllie headed in a consolation for the Gills – his first as a professional – and keeper Luca Ashby-Hammond saved Asher Agbinone’s late penalty.

Reaction: ‘A messy, really scruffy game’

Gillingham had needed to avoid defeat to retain hopes of progressing from the group stage, after losing their opening match against Peterborough United at the start of the month.

With a big weekend game against Barrow on the horizon, manager Mark Bonner wasn’t taking too many chances. There were nine change to the starting eleven from the one which lined up at Notts County, with only Remeao Hutton and Armani Little retained.

Oli Hawkins played in central defence alongside Alex Giles, with Harry Webster also in the eleven at left-back, a week after signing his first professional contract. He had the tough task of trying to keep tricky wide-man Caleb Kphora quiet.

Palace were bright from the off and looked to pounce on any mistake made by the Gills, snapping up any loose balls.

Luca Ashby-Hammond replaced Glenn Morris in goal and had a busy half, called upon early to make a routine save from Justin Devenny’s free-kick.

Kporha showed neat footwork to get past a couple of challenges before Armani Little made a tackle count but when the ball broke loose Umolu could only fire wide for the visitors.

Gillingham’s best chances of the half fell for Jacob Wakeling, seeing one shot blocked well by defender Eyimose Jemide and another deflected wide later in the half.

Inbetween those chances Palace were on top. Umolu put them ahead on 25 minutes when he headed home a cross from Devenny.

Moments later Ashby-Hammond had to save from the goalscorer to deny him a quick second but the visitors did double their lead before the break, from a 39th minute corner.

Devenny’s corner was knocked back across by Grehan and Umeh was there to pounce, guiding the ball home through a crowd.

Palace were worthy leaders at the break and Bonner made a trio of substitutions for the second half. At 2-0 down, he took off three senior players, all of whom could well be starters against Barrow. There was no sense in taking any chances on this game.

The Gills started quite brightly in the second half, with fresh legs on the pitch, but Palace added a third seven minutes after the restart, substitute Shad Ogie left on the deck by Mustapha who won the ball and then had time to pick his spot past Ashby-Hammond.

Palace continued to find space going forward and Devenny blasted a shot over the bar after a period of pressure around the Gills box.

There was some late drama in the match as Joe Gbode’s left-sided cross was headed in by Wyllie with eight minutes of normal time remaining.

Palace had the chance to respond immediately, when Hawkins fouled Agbinone in the box, but the forward couldn’t convert from 12 yards as Ashby-Hammond made the save.

The Gills keeper denied Agbinone again moments later, saving with his foot, while the Palace player was also involved at the other end as referee Ruebyn Ricardo waved away a penalty shout after Jayden Clarke went to ground following a challenge.

It was an open end to the game, with both teams having chances to add to the scoreline. Ashby-Hammond made another good late save to twice deny Zach Marsh.

Gillingham: Ashby-Hammond, Webster, Hutton (Ogie 46mins), Hawkins, Giles, Little (Waldock 46mins), E Williams (Skipper 83mins), Nolan (Gbode 46mins), Wakeling, J Williams (Clarke 71mins), Wyllie. Subs not used: Holtam, Clark.

Palace: Moulden, Grehan, Holding, Jemide, Kporha, Rodney, Devenny, Umeh, Mustapha (Gibbard 82mins), Agbinone (Browne 91mins), Umolu (Marsh 70mins). Subs not used: Izquierdo, Grante, Austin, Nascimento.

Referee: Ruebyn Ricardo

Attendance: 1,223 (127 away)