Bradley Stevenson struck twice as the Gills avoided any dramas in the Kent Senior Cup.

Callum Reilly put the Gills infront at Herne Bay and moments later turned provider for Henry Woods to double the lead.

Miles Cornwell got one back for the Bostik League side but Stevenson restored the two goal advantage before the break and added another in the second half.

Reilly was Gills’ most experienced player on show at Winch’s Field, missing first team action through suspension but able to take part in Tuesday’s county cup quarter-final tie.

Trialist forward Liam Smith was named in the Gills XI that started the match.

It was Herne Bay’s Tom Carlton who came close to opening the scoring for the home side, beating keeper Louie Catherall but not Jack Tucker on the line.

The game’s first goal came after 15 minutes. Aaron Simpson crossed from the left for Reilly to fire home the opener, making no mistake from a central position.

Woods doubled the lead three minutes later, scoring from close range after Reilly played the ball into his path.

The goals kept coming and Bay halves the deficit on 22 minutes after Cornwell met Bradley Schaffer’s right-sided cross and steered the ball home at the near post.

Mbo was twice denied by home keeper Harry Earls either side of Gills’ third goal, scored in the 41st minute. Stevenson netted after a blocked shot fell kindly for him on the edge of the box.

Tom Carlton fired a free-kick narrowly wide for Bay in the second half and Stevenson had a shot saved at the other end.

Stevenson did get his second, scored on 58 minutes as he broke down the right, racing onto a ball forward from Woods before and chipping the advancing keeper.

Jake Embrey put a chance wide for the hosts while Earls did well at the other end, diving down to save Woods’ 20-yard effort. The Gills kept possession in the latter stages of the match to see the game out.

There was some late drama in the game as Simon Kabamba was sent for a second yellow card after a late scuffle involving Leroy Hlabi, who was also cautioned.

Herne Bay: Earls, Kabamba, Brown, Wilkins, White, Carlton (Clifford-Awoyemi 70mins), Schaffer (Skinner 46mins), Bankole, Embery, Cornwell, Leonard. Subs not used: Freiter, Miller.

Gillingham: Catherall, Divine (Scarlett 80mins), Huckle, Tucker, Simpson, Chapman, Reilly (Bramble 80mins), Woods, Stevenson, Smith (Hlabi 65mins), Mbo. Subs not used: Walsh, Fernandez.

Attendance: 406