Gillingham's inexperienced side made the worst possible start as Reading took the lead after just 90 seconds as James Henry took the ball on his chest and fired a left foot volley into the net from just inside the area.

The visitor's enjoyed plenty of possession but were punished whenever they gave the ball away by the ruthless Royals.

Reading added a second after 20 minutes, this time Henry turned provider with a good run and cross which in truth the Gills should probably have cleared but Shane Long climbed highest to apply the finish.

With Gillingham on the back foot the Royals hit the post before USA International Bobby Convey made it 3-0 to the home side shortly before half time. Keeper Conor Quinn failed to clear a cross into the box and Convey drove a half-volley into the bottom corner.

The visitors started brightly after the re-start and created a couple of half chances but the passing and movement of Readings players was too string for the Gills.

The Royals added a fourth early in the half after Gills keeper Quinn had made a good save; David Mooney was first to the loose ball and took his chance with ease.

Even at 4-0 the Gills refused to give in and Luke Rooney and Stuart Lewis both spurned good chances to score. At the death Gillingham did get the ball in the net after good work by Rimmel Daniel and Andy Pugh created an opening for Luis Cumbers but his diving header was ruled offside.

Despite the score line Manager Mark Patterson was not disappointed with the performance as the Gills youngsters passed the ball well and made some decent chances against very experienced opponents. Andrew Crofts and Stuart Lewis were the Gills star performers while Cumbers and Pugh battled hard against vastly experienced defenders in Michael Duberry and Brynjar Gunnarsson.

For the Gills youngsters it was an excellent test and valuable experience to play against players of Premiership quality.

Gillingham: Conor Quinn, Jack Payne (60 Ellis Munday), Connor Essam (70 Oliver Bartrum), Tom Wynter, Rimmel Daniel, Luke Rooney (80 Adam Burchell), Andrew Crofts, Stuart Lewis, Rory Hill, Luis Cumbers, Andy Pugh

Subs not used: Liam Geering, Josh Sargeant

Reading: Andersen, Kelly, Golbourne, Duberry, Gunnarsson (60 Kamdjo), Karacan, Matejovsky (60 Antonio), Henry, Convey, Long (60 Bossman) Mooney