Gillingham's youngsters would be forgiven for expecting they were in for a frustrating afternoon when they found themselves a goal down six minutes into the match through no fault of their own. Lions' striker John Marquis, recently handed his first professional contract, broke into the box but stumbled with the ball at his feet and was rewarded with a penalty, controversially given against Callum Davies who had clearly made no contact with the player. The referee ignored protests from the visiting sides and Marquis made no mistake from the spot.
After the early strike the first half unfolded in traditional derby fashion with both sides contesting every ball in a wholehearted if somewhat scrappy encounter. Both teams displayed plenty of honest endeavour but glimpses of quality were few and far between with goal mouth action even rarer. Gillingham's best chance, a 20th minute curling free-kick which Tom Murphy headed straight to the keeper when the merest of touches either side of the Lions custodian would certainly have brought reward.
As half time approached the Gills were dealt a second blow as good approach play involving Ofoche, French and Adedipe presented Marquis with a free header which Conor Quinn, in the visitor's goal, was powerless to prevent crossing the line.
2-0 down at the interval, Gillingham were still confident of salvaging something from the match and soaked up Millwall's early second half pressure before a second penalty for the home side ended the contest. This time the Gills could have little complaint as the unfortunate Callum Davies tripped Adedipe in the box and Kiernan Hughes-Mason dispatched his spot kick to put the result beyond doubt.
The visitor's nightmarish afternoon still had one final twist in the tail as second half sub Alex Brown was given his marching orders for a second yellow card, just 15 minutes after arriving on the pitch. The first for preventing Millwall taking a quick free-kick, and the latter for a 50/50 challenge deemed dangerous by the referee.
Speaking after the match an agitated Mark Patterson could not hide his frustration at the referee's display, commenting, "In injury time Tom Murphy went one on one with his marker and was pulled back in the box. The referee gave their lad a yellow and yet Callum Davies has given away two penalties and not even been booked.
"The game was littered with strange decisions both for and against us and, though I hate to talk about referees, he had a major influence on the match."
Gillingham: Conor Quinn, Ollie Bartrum, Connor Essam, Callum Davies, Jack Evans, Liam Geering, Tom Brunt, Dean Rance, Charlie Stimson, Callum Day (George Humber 80), Tom Murphy (Alex Brown 60)
Subs not used: Daran Hawkes, James Brown, Ryan Benniman.
