A penalty shoot out win gave Gillingham's youngsters glory in the krbs cup. Mark Stimson's son Charlie was the hero of the night with a brace in normal time and held his nerve to slot in the winning penalty.

The first real opening arrived in the tenth minute after good work down the left by the hosts. James Brown cut out Dolton's cross but Alex Hossick was first to the loose ball blazing over from 20 yards.

At the other end first year apprentice Sam Fisher chanced his arm from distance forcing Kevin Fewell to save low to the keepers right.

But it was Whitstable who took the lead in ruthless fashion in the 18th minute. Gareth Cornhill bent a pin point free kick on to the head of Stuart Vahid who glanced a deft header beyond Conor Quinn.

Gillingham almost found an equaliser within moments, Fisher sent Bartrum away on the left and trialist Faed slid in to meet his cross at the near post only to see his effort loop over the bar.

Josh Sargeant went close twice for the Gills after 30 minutes first having a direct free kick from the right touched over by Fewell. Then from the resulting corner firing into the keepers arms from the left edge of the box.

HT 1-0

Three minutes after the interval Gareth Cornhill's well struck free kick brought another stop from Quinn in the the Gills goal.

Then in the 50th minute Gillingham were awarded a penalty after Dan Tanner brought down sub Alex Brown in the box. Charlie Stimson stepped up to the spot and fired low into the net to square the scores.

Four minutes later Conor Quinn pulled off two impressive saves in quick succession to deny Gareth Cornhill but Whitstable struck back in the 55th minute. A cross from the left found Stuart Vahid in the box and he headed in from close range for his second of the game.

In the 61st Gillingham levelled the match again after great work on the right by Tom Murphy. He cut into the box before threading a neat pass through to the far post for Charlie Stimson to tuck home his second.

The visitors took the lead in the 74th minute for the first time in the match Alex Brown forced his way into the box only to see his shot blocked on the line. Fellow first year apprentice Sam Fisher was lurking to slot home the loose ball, crowning an excellent performance by the youngster.

Five minutes later the scores were level again after Dolton's cut back from the left carried to Gooding on the right of goal who beat Quinn with a low strike.

Four minutes from time Gooding was denied a winner when Quinn dived acrobatically to push his drive from the edge of the box around the post.

In the final minute Gooding found space again to shoot and seemed to have settled the outcome with an angled drive only to see it drop wide of the far post.

Full time 3-3

Penalties:

Whitstable 3-5 Gillingham

Jack Evans, Alex Brown, Sam Fisher, Tom Murphy and Charlie Stimson made no mistake from the spot as Gillingham secured their first silverware of the season.

Attendance: 685

Gillingham: Conor Quinn, Oliver Bartrum (46 Jack Evans), James Brown, Sam Fisher, Conor Essam, Grant Hall, Liam Geering (46 Alex Brown), Dean Rance (64 Tom Brunt), Callum Day (46 Charlie Stimson), Faed (64 Kyle Farrar), Josh Sargeant (46 Tom Murphy).

Subs not used: Ryan Bennimann, Callum Davies, Daran Hawkes,

Whitstable Town: Kevin Fewell (75 Unknown), Greg Smith (75 D McVicar), Gary Sayer, Dan Tanner (67 unknown), Alex Hossick (68 C Gooding), Sam Denly, Gareth Cornhill (67 Ian Batten), Jake Gess, Stuart Vahid, Dominic Elmes (67 Jack Tanner), D Dolton.

Sub not used: Steven Lloyd