Gillingham 0 Sheffield United 4: Will Osula and James McAtee score twice in FA Cup third round match at Priestfield

Gillingham came off second best as Premier League strugglers Sheffield United eased to victory at Priestfield.

Hopes of an FA Cup shock against the Blades looked unlikely by half-time after Will Osula had struck twice to put the visitors two goals up in the third round tie. The Gills might have made a game of it had Max Ehmer’s header gone in rather than bouncing to safety off the post before James McAtee added a late double for a 4-0 scoreline.

Sheffield United made five changes to the team which started last time out, at Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium. They turned up at Priestfield sitting bottom of the Premier League without an away win all season and in need of a lift.

Despite the league woes of their visitors, the Gills knew they were up against top-class players, but with back to back wins of their own, Stephen Clemence’s League 2 side knew they had a chance.

The Gills started the match positively enough but were vulnerable to Sheffield United’s counter-attack and the Blades took a 14th minute lead.

Gillingham’s right wing-back Cheye Alexander was bright early on as he had slipped in Conor Masterson for an early chance that got blocked.

When Alexander again found himself in an advanced position, after showing great control to bring down Max Ehmer’s long ball forward, he was dispossessed on the edge of the United box after neither passing or shooting and in a flash the visitors were in front.

James McAtee fed the ball to Osula and he cut in before beating keeper Jake Turner at his near post. There was silence at Priestfield as the home fans were defeated and the visiting supporters at the other end weren’t sure the ball had gone in.

Archer nearly scored a second soon after, following a mix-up at the back between a