Gillingham boss Steve Evans admitted his team's performance was way below par on Tuesday night.

Vadaine Oliver headed them infront at Priestfield but visitors Cheltenham Town levelled soon after and ended up winning the Carabao Cup second round tie on penalties.

“We didn’t earn the right to win,” said Evans. “They were the better side than us last 20, they had chances to win it. Our performance was way below par.

“I thought for the first 25 minutes the performance was very good, we played all the football, we got a goal but then on in it was two poor teams, it goes to penalties, you take it when you win at Crawley (in the first round), we could have gone out there, but we went out (on Tuesday) and we wish (their manager) Michael Duff and Cheltenham good luck.

“We are disappointed in our own performance, I don’t speak about the opposition, they have nothing to do with me, but it was two poor sides.

“I sat and watched it from above for 70 minutes, they had a little spell when they got the goal but it was a poor cup tie but cup ties are about getting through aren’t they?

“Some players didn’t take their chance again, you give players chances. Players come off the bench, they make a difference (like on Saturday) and then you start them and they don’t have the same impact, so we will pick from about 14 players I think on Saturday, we will pick the best 11 we can to get a result at Shrewsbury.

“We have injuries and a lack of bodies. Us having Harvey and Bailey (teenage defenders) isn’t what we should be about at this stage, rather than training with the academy on Saturday mornings. I know each of those lads will play for Gills in time but they are not League 1 at the minute, not for going to Shrewsbury and not Charlton the following week, if we are playing them then, then we do have problems.

“I am disappointed but I hope they go and get a big draw, he (Duff) is a good guy, their young manager and we wish them well. We look at our performance and 60 out of the 90 was not what we are about.

“We will get on with it, we will be down but see what the availability is like Thursday but I am dreading going into the treatment room.”

More on the Gills;

• 'They can’t find anything wrong with John'

• Boss Evans could be left "considering his options"