Gillingham youngster Bradley Stevenson has joined Hastings United on loan for a month.

The second year youth player has been on the fringes of Gills’ first team for some time.

Stevenson made his Hastings debut on Tuesday night in their 2-1 home defeat to Ramsgate.

He made his first senior appearance for the Gills in this season’s Checkatrade Trophy, playing 30 minutes against Luton Town after coming on as a second half sub.

Gills head coach Ady Pennock is keen to see the youngsters go out and get men’s football under their belt.

He said “There are two or three lads in the youth team who are too good for that level and they need to play men’s football, learn the trade and learn that three points mean three points.

“They will be going to clubs where players have win bonuses and they have mortgages to pay. That will be good for them to learn. They will learn more from that than playing in our youth team.”

Hastings are managed by former Priestfield youth boss Darren Hare and their squad is a who’s who of former Gillingham players, including Stephen Butcher, Callum Emptage, Matt Bodkin, Frannie Collin, Barry Cogan, Harry Stannard and Jack Evans.

Young Gills pro Mitchell Dickenson also recently had a loan spell at the Ryman League, Division 1 South side.

Another ex-Gill, Aaron Millbank, was on the scoresheet for Ramsgate.