An experienced Gillingham team lost at home to Charlton in the Kent Reliance Senior Cup final on Thursday night.

A crowd of 1,238 saw the Addicks defend stoutly and attack with pace to take the honours against the hosts.

Gills opted for a strong line-up, with seven first-team players in their starting XI. Keeper Stuart Nelson skippered the side with Leon Legge and Gavin Hoyte paired at centre-half, Jake Hessenthaler in midfield and Luke Norris leading the line.

Charlton fielded their development squad with striker Karlan Ahearne-Grant a regular scorer in this competition already this season while right-back Harry Osborne had just returned to The Valley from a successful loan spell with Conference Premier Welling.

The visitors went close inside eight minutes when Osborne's right-wing cross came back off the crossbar while the game came to life on 15 minutes as Norris and Harry Lennon clashed. Charlton centre-back Lennon clattered into Norris who reacted to the challenge with both players shoving each other. Referee Ian Fissenden showed a yellow card to both parties.

It was then Gillingham's turn to hit the woodwork as Josh Pritchard, who had already fired in a shot from distance, let fly from 35 yards. Charlton keeper Dillon Phillips somehow managed to get a fingertip to the shot and touched it onto the crossbar.

Osborne then sold his keeper short with a backpass but Philips again came to his side's rescue to deny Greg Cundle before Norris put the rebound wide.

Charlton went ahead with a touch of brilliance on 37 minutes. Young right-back Callum Emptage's pass was never going to reach Nelson and Ahearne-Grant got there first, beautifully chipping the stranded Gills keeper to score a goal worthy of the occasion.

Addicks left-back Levander Pyke then picked up a caution on the stroke of half-time after clattering into Emptage infront of the dugouts.

Chances were few and far between after the break. Gills appeared to cause most danger with long balls into the box, mainly from Hessenthaler free-kicks.

Norris nodded wide, Legge's header was cleared to danger while Hessenthaler fired wide from the edge of the area.

Charlton threatened on the counter attack with the pace of Ahearne-Grant a particular threat. He cut inside and set up strike partner Josh Umerah with 12 minutes left but Gavin Hoyte was back in time to clear his close-range header.

Gillingham: Nelson, Emptage, Hoyte, Legge, Bell, Hessenthaler, Pritchard, Freiter, Galbraith, Norris, Cundle (List 64mins). Subs not used: Hadler, Blanchard, Bent, Sellens.

Charlton: Phillips, Osborne (Barnes 80mins), Thomas, Lennon, Pyke, Charles-Cook (Hanlan 80mins), Monlouis, Bone, Kennedy, Ahearne-Grant, Umerah. Subs not used: Mitov, Cumberbatch, Munns.

Attendance: 1,238.