Gillingham were eliminated from the U17 PDL Cup on Tuesday evening following a narrow 3-2 defeat to Portsmouth at Holm Park.
Dane Bailey opened the scoring with George Wilson doubling the advantage for the visitors. Kelly Adams pulled one back, only for Nathaniel Chioma to restore the two-goal cushion shortly afterwards.
The hosts rallied and sub, Billy Doy, converted a late penalty, with a header in the dying stages going just over the bar.
Steve Hafner took charge of the game and played Benji Spencer in goal with Kacper Kot, Alfie Cross and Joe Orpwood all starting.
Gills started well, keeping possession and controlling the early stages, however Pompey began exerting some authority on the tie following the first ten minutes and went close through Chioma before Bailey did secure the opener.
His scuffed effort took a deflection off a defender before trickling beyond the reach of Spencer and into the back of the net.
On 32 minutes Freddie Francis nearly equalised when, with his back to goal, turned his man brilliantly before firing an effort towards goal which was well saved by Oscar Glover.
Spencer was called into action on 44 minutes when a low drive from Brandon Downey was well saved by the Gills keeper.
H/T: Gillingham 0-1 Portsmouth
Pompey got the important second goal on 51 minutes when George Wilson was first to react when a loose ball presented itself inside the box, and his effort was enough to find a way past Spencer.
With the visitors seemingly in control, Gills pulled one back on 65 minutes when a free-kick on the edge of the box was delivered by Alfie Cross towards the far post and Kelly Adams got on the end of it, converting from close range.
However, within seven minutes the visitors had restored their two-goal lead when Chioma’s brilliant strike found the top corner.
Hafner’s side refused to surrender though and won a penalty in the final minute of regulation time which was expertly converted by sub, Billy Doy.
Gills won a late corner which was headed just over the bar, and Portsmouth managed the final moments well to secure victory.
F/T: Gillingham 2-3 Portsmouth
Gills: Spencer, Orpwood (Surrey 55), Kot (Jones 55), Trialist, Stone, Silva, Cross, Francis (Doy 63), Procopi, Adams, Kokot
Unused subs: King, Bober
Portsmouth starting XI: Glover, Hammond, Martin, Sizer, Wilson, Jablonski, Chioma, Pfupa, Bailey,Agu, Downey
Referee: Mr B Beard
