After the unseasonal downpour at Bournemouth on Saturday, the Gills had to contend with high winds at the krbs Priestfield for their Carling Cup Round 1 tie with Colchester United.

Mark Stimson was forced to make two changes to the team that started on Saturday. Alan Julian came in for Simon Royce who was laid low with a virus, while Nicky Southall started on the right of midfield in place of Curtis Weston, whose loan arrangement does not permit him to play in cup ties.

The Gills could have taken the lead as early as the 4th minute when Mark McCammon burst through the Colchester defence. Unfortunately, the giant target man drove his shot straight at the onrushing keeper.

The deadlock was broken when Colchester took the lead in the 10th minute with a scrambled goal from Matt Heath. Gillingham's defence failed to clear a near post cross and, after having several shots blocked, the Colchester centre-back was on hand to put the visitors in front.

The Gills responded well with Simeon Jackson forcing Dean Gerkan to make a save at full stretch with a powerful strike from the edge of the area. Next, Nicky Southall went close with a free-kick on 26 minutes after a hand ball on the edge of the area. Then, just after the half hour mark, Adam Miller shaved the upright from a well worked free kick.

Southall had another great chance in the 43rd minute following good work by Simeon Jackson. The Canadian striker found Adam Miller on the edge of the area, he teed-up Southall but the experienced midfielder shot wide of Gerkan's near post.

Colchester created the better chances at the start of the second half. Anthony Wordsworth headed narrowly over in the 55th minute before Clive Platt flashed just wide from the edge of the area.

On the hour, Mark Stimson decided to shake things up with a triple substitution. Tyrone Berry replaced Southall on the right of midfield with Dennis Oli coming on for Adam Miller on the left.  Up front Mark McCammon made way for Gary Mulligan.

John Nutter sent a free kick over the bar in the 65th minute and soon after Dennis Oli bought a save from keeper Gerkan with a low drive but the Gills could not find the net.

In the 74th minute Colchester had a chance to seal the win as Kemal Izzet was sent clean through on goal. However, debutant keeper Alan Julian pulled off an outstanding save to keep the home side in the game.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Simeon Jackson went close again with a drive from the edge of the area after good work by Gary Mulligan. With the visitors content to wind down the clock the Gills were condemned to a disappointing defeat.

2,566

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Barry Fuller, John Nutter, Simon King, Garry Richards, Nicky Southall (63 Tyrone Berry), Adam Miller (63 Dennis Oli), Andrew Crofts (c), Mark Bentley, Simeon Jackson, Mark McCammon (63 Gary Mulligan)

Subs: Chris Kiely, Stuart Lewis, Sean Clohessy, Leigh Mills,

Colchester: Dean Gerkan, John White, Paul Reid, Dean Hammond, Clive Platt, Kemal Izzet (c), Mark Yeates (70 Medy Elito), Matt Heath, Phil Ifil, Scott Vernon, Anthony Wordsworth

Subs: Matt Lockwood, Johnnie Jackson, Chris Coyne, Akanni-Sunday Wasiu, Mark Cousins, Fabian Batchelor