Gillingham got back to winning ways with a comfortable 4-1 win over Ryman League outfit Aveley. Mark Stimson shuffled his pack with Alan Julian and Charlie Howard being the only starters to play any part in Tuesday's match at Dover.

Gillingham comfortably controlled first half proceedings though they struggled to convert their possession into goals. Their first opportunity of note came in the 10^th minute as trialist American John Rouse was sent through on goal; unfortunately he placed his shot straight at a grateful keeper.

The Gills should have scored in the 16^th minute as another trialist, Tyrone Berry, broke free down the right wing. He cut into the area and chipped the onrushing Aveley keeper only to see his goal bound effort hooked off the line. Shortly afterwards, Berry made amends by opening the scoring on 20 minutes. He collected a short free kick from Rory Hill and, after seeing his initial shot blocked, he reacted first to slot home the rebound.

The home sides best chance of the half came from a corner in the 37^th minute. Aveley's Sean Francis climbed above everyone but headed straight on to the cross bar. At the other end, the lively Berry was unlucky not to add to his tally in the 40^th minute. After beating his opposing full-back, he aimed a shot at the near post but the Aveley keeper was on hand to push it over for a corner.

Mark Stimson made no changes at half time and the Gills continued to control events in the second half. However, against the run of play the home side equalised in the 56^th minute with a wonderful piece of individual skill. Aveley's Petric Elbi powered into the area and beat two men before finding the net.

On the hour, Charlie Howard went close for the Gills, he reacted first to a poorly cleared corner but his volley flashed past the post. As the game drew to a close Gillingham took advantage of a tiring Aveley side. First, Luis Cumbers went close in the 83^rd minutes as he rose above the Aveley defence to meet Rory Hill's cross but couldn't direct his header on target.

A minute later he found the net, racing on to a long ball from Danny Walder to lob the oncoming keeper and give the Gills a 1-2 lead. With the home side still reeling, Rory Hill popped up to make it three in the 89^th minute. Timing his run into the area to perfection, he got on the end of Tayler Thomas far post cross to head home.

Finally Thomas got in on the act himself, adding the Gills fourth with the last kick of the game. After Luis Cumbers was felled on the edge of the area, he was quickest to react and drove home the loose ball to give the Gills a comfortable win.

For the record, the Gills fielded four trialists in all, Tyrone Berry, a midfielder/striker previously with Rushden and Stevenage, American striker John Rouse, "Richard" a young midfielder recently released by Southend and a mystery centre back, who arrived from Brussells earlier in the week and is known only as "Bob".

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Sean Clohessy, Danny Walder, Garry Richards, Bob, Tyrone Berry (63 Tayler Thomas), Rory Hill, Stuart Lewis, Charlie Howard (63 Richard), Delroy Facey, John Rouse (63 Luis Cumbers).