Gillingham's youngsters gave themselves a mountain to climb when they conceded the games first goal after just three minutes. Harry Pell's half cleared corner fell to Liam Bellamy who found the net with a low shot that deflected off Liam Geering to give keeper Quinn no chance.
The visitors responded well to that early setback and quickly found their footing but it took 12 minutes for them to carve out a sight of goal, it fell to Tom Murphy who broke into the box on the right of goal but dragged his effort well wide of the far post.
Good defending by James Brown in the 20th minute prevented the Addicks doubling their advantage. A ball from the left found Perkins in the six yard box with only the keeper to beat but Brown's well timed block took the sting out of the shot allowing Quinn to gather with ease.
Four minutes later Charlton found the net again. The home side had possession midway inside the Gills half in what seemed a relatively harmless position until the ball was played short to Harry Pell who swept a magnificent lofted shot into the top right corner from fully 25 yards.
Josh Sargeant brought a good save from keeper Binks with a powerful effort from the left of goal on the half hour.
Shortly before half time Gillingham had a golden opportunity to open their account when Geering returned Sargeant's corner and the left winger sent a low ball across the face of goal. It fell to Jack Payne five yards out but he ballooned over the bar with the goal at his mercy.
HT 2-0
Charlton were unlucky not to increase their lead in the opening minutes of the second half when a quick counter attack found Tuna in space on the right of goal. Conor Quinn raced out to block the angle and the Gills were able to clear to safety but the save would only prove brief respite.
Gillingham's back four were caught cold by a defence splitting pass in the 49th minute. Lewis Perkins found himself goal side with only Quinn to beat and curled a cute finish into the far corner for Charlton's third.
The visitors created their best move of the match in the 61st minute and were unfortunate not to pull a goal back from James Brown's free-kick. The full back's deep ball was flicked into the area by Murphy for Davies who drew a fine save from Binks, Callum Day was first to the loose ball but sent his effort flying into the stand.
The Gills went close again through Connor Essam in the 73rd minute as the captain drilled a low shot narrowly wide of Binks' left hand upright. Soon after Jack Payne let fly with a drive from the edge of the box but Binks was alert to the danger and parried his effort to safety.
With both sides tiring as the second half wore on Gillingham continued to find space in the home sides half. Six minutes from time substitute Humber's strong run allowed Evans to cross for Day in the box, the striker's initial effort was blocked on the line and Callum was unable to convert the rebound much to his obvious frustration.
Gillingham: Conor Quinn, Jack Evans, James Brown, Jack Payne, Connor Essam, Callum Davies, Liam Geering (Ryan Benniman 85), Dean Rance, Tom Murphy, Callum Day, Josh Sargeant (65 George Humber).
Subs not used: Daran Hawkes, Alex Brown, Tom Brunt.
Charlton Athletic: Jack Binks, Carl Jenkinson, Connor Morris, Harry Pell (Freddie Warren 69), Jordan Cousins, Yado Mambo, Liam Bellamy, Jordan Anderson, Lewis Perkins, Tamer Tuna (Tosan Popo 85), Joe Carter (Callum Harriott 62)
Subs not used: Brandon Hall, Stephen Camacho.
