Rangers lined up with Jake Cole in goal, youth team centre half Jonathan Munday played at right back with Ian Evatt, Matthew Rose and Matt Hislop completing the back four.

Georges Santos started in midfield alongside Adam Miller, who was returning from a three game ban after being sent off a few weeks back. Scott Donnelly and Lee Cook were the wide men with Luke Townsend and Giant Ray Jones paired in attack. Gillingham first struck after 12 minutes when Frannie Collin’s deflected shot beat Cole from the edge of the area and they doubled their lead before the 20 minute mark through Paul Shields.

Rangers tried to find a way back into the game and saw a good Lee Cook free kick saved by the Gills keeper. Then just before the break we were awarded a penalty when lego man, Andy Hessenthaler, brought down Jones in the box. This brought about the unlikely sight of Georges Santos stepping up to take the spot kick which he duly dispatched to make it 2-1.

Gillingham made it 3-1 just before the hour mark and Gary Waddock will have doubtless been frustrated with too see another huge deflection go against us as Gavin Grant’s shot cannoned off Ian Evatt to leave Jake Cole stranded.

Santos was now playing upfront with Stefan Bailey having come on to replace Jones and he won The R’s second penalty of the game ten minutes from the end. Georges once again took the kick but this time skewed his shot wide of the post to end Rangers hopes of a comeback.