A bright Gillingham performance ended in defeat after Brighton came from behind to win Wednesday night’s friendly.

Bradley Dack deservedly put the Gills ahead early in the second half but Brighton levelled through Dale Stephens.

Despite Gillingham’s impressive showing the visitors went ahead through sub Chike Kandi on 66 minutes to win the game.

Gillingham went off at the break to a ripple of applause after an encouraging first 45 minutes.

Once they settled into their 4-3-2-1 formation they stretched their Championship opponents, with Brennan Dickenson and Jermaine McGlashan hugging either flank.

Dickenson, who had played upfront against Dover at the weekend, was handed the role at left-back but it was his attacking exploits that caught the eye, against his old team.

With John Egan and Adedeji Oshilaja playing as the centre-back pairing, they were protected by Arron Morris and an exuberant looking Jordan Houghton.

Brighton’s Niki Maenpaa was the busier of the two keepers, making saves from Ben Williamson and Jermaine McGlashan.

He also denied Luke Norris, the striker perhaps cursing his effort after doing so well to create the chance, bombing forward after leaving Gordon Greer in a heap.

Maenpaa’s best save came from his own player, however, as the pace of a Dickenson cross caught out Tom Dallison and he almost diverted the ball into the top corner of his own net.

In goal for the Gills was Stuart Nelson, still playing a big part for the club despite the manager making the way clear for him to leave earlier this summer. He made a good save low down to deny striker Chris O’Grady but wasn’t overly troubled.

Gillingham had been unlucky not to score in the first half but it didn’t take them long to register in the second.

Norris showed good footwork in the area and laid the ball off for Dack, who managed to squeeze the shot past Maenpaa. It was Dack’s third pre-season strike.

Despite Gillingham’s good play, Brighton levelled just before the hour mark when Stephens was allowed two chances in the box, scoring with the second.

Dack could have put the Gills back infront immediately but after creating space in the box, his finish lacked precision, firing well over from close-range.

The Gills were already missing Cody McDonald and Doug Loft through injury and Jordan Houghton limped off with a knock midway through the second half. He was replaced by Emanuel Osadebe in what was hopefully a precautionary substitution.

Brighton went ahead as the Gills were still reshuffling following the changes. A good move opened the hosts up and Chike Kandi – one of five to come on at the break for the visitors – tapped the ball home with the defence out of sight.

The Gills ended the game well, having eventually recovered from losing Houghton, but were unable to grab a deserved leveller, with Norris firing a last-minute chance over.

Gillingham: Nelson, Jackson, Egan, Oshilaja (Ehmer 63mins), A Morris, Houghton (Osadebe 63mins), Dack (Donnelly 76mins), B Dickenson, McGlashan (Garmston 72mins), Williamson, Norris. Subs not used: G Morris, Hessenthaler.

Brighton: Maenpaa, Rosenior (Holla 46mins), Greer (Rea 64mins), Dallison (Barclay 83mins), Chicksen, Calderon (Hunt 64mins), Ince, Stephens (Ward 64mins), Forster-Caskey (Kandi 64mins), Colunga (Monakana 46mins), O’Grady (Akindayini 64mins). Sub not used: Ankergren.