League 1 leaders Bristol City stand between Gillingham and a Wembley final.

The Gills will play the first leg of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy area final at home following Thursday morning’s draw.

That game is due to take place in January while the second leg, at Bristol City’s Ashton Gate, will take place the following month.

Dates for the first legs will be confirmed after consultation with Sky Sports while second leg dates are subject to involvement in the draw for the fourth round of the FA Cup.

City – winners of the Football Trophy competition in 1986 and 2003 - made it through to the southern area final following a 2-0 win over Coventry City on Wednesday night.

The two teams are no strangers having met frequently in cup competitions in recent seasons. Earlier this year City beat Gillingham 2-1 in the FA Cup at Priestfield.

Last season City knocked the Gills out of the League Cup but the year before that the result was reversed in the same competition.

Bristol City also dumped the Gills out of the FA Cup in 2006.

Gillingham made it through to this year’s area final, the furthest they have ever been in the competition, with a win over Leyton Orient.

Preston North End or Notts County will meet Walsall in the northern area final.