Gillingham 0 Blackpool 2 FA Cup first round match report: Sonny Carey scores twice on Steve Bruce’s return

Gillingham’s FA Cup journey ended at the first hurdle against League 1 Blackpool on Saturday.

A brace by Sonny Carey was enough to settle the contest as Steve Bruce made a winning return to Priestfield.

Gillingham made three changes from the team that drew 1-1 at 10-man Swindon last weekend. Glenn Morris was recalled between the sticks with Armani Little and Jack Nolan also starting.

There was an emotional reception prior to kick-off for former Gills defender Bruce, who was back in the Blackpool dugout for the first time since the death of his grandson.

It took 10 minutes for the first effort at goal as Jacob Wakeling failed to clear the ball in his own penalty area but Elliot Embleton could only find the side netting.

Embleton then tried a more conventional approach to goal, cutting in from the right and seeing his low 20-yard left-foot shot comfortably gathered by Morris.

Armani Little shot over at the other end for Gillingham but they were getting little change out of the imposing centre-back pairing of Odeluga Offiah and Olly Casey.

Veteran keeper Morris was almost left red-faced when striker Kyle Joseph closed down his hurried clearance but the ball rebounded well wide of the vacant net.

Nolan was playing off main striker Wakeling and he had a number of attempts at goal. A well-worked throw saw Nolan turn and shoot from 20 yards but his effort was always swerving wide, then the former Accrington man was set up in the box by Tim Dieng but his shot lacked power.

Another good set-piece move saw the ball worked for Nolan at the edge of the box but his left-foot drive was blocked by a defender.

Blackpool had been on the backfoot at this stage but they took the lead seven minutes before half-time. Jayden Clarke’s