Gillingham 1 Cambridge United 4: Reaction from Gills boss Gareth Ainsworth after Jersey Mike’s Trophy defeat at Priestfield Stadium

Gareth Ainsworth felt his Gillingham team were given a taste of what is required at the next level as they suffered a 4-1 defeat to Cambridge United in the EFL Trophy.

The Gills opened their group-stage campaign with a youthful side against a Cambridge team who play a division higher in League One.

Report: Gills 1 Cambridge United 4

Ainsworth made a number of changes from the team that beat Bristol Rovers at the weekend in League Two, handing opportunities in the starting XI to the likes of Sheldon Kendall, Jack Daley, Michael Luxton, Harry Webster and Louie Dayal.

There were also welcome returns for Ethan Coleman and Bradley Dack, while Cameron Antwi made his first senior start after being carefully managed since returning from injury.

But the gulf was evident as Cambridge took control, with Gillingham unable to build the same momentum they have shown during their recent league run.

Ainsworth said the result was difficult to take because he had approached the competition with the intention of winning, rather than simply using it as an opportunity to give youngsters and returning players minutes.

He said: “It was tough because when I got the Cambridge team, I thought, wow, that's a decent side, they're going for it, obviously.

“Neil [Harris] said to me before the game, ‘Look, I haven't got anything else’. He said, ‘I've got to push these out because we're quite thin on the ground’ and that's fine.

“I'm not as thin, although we've got a few injuries and Logan [Dobbs] and Andy Smith had to do another turnout. We had Harry Waldock on the bench, but I didn't really want to use him. I think his legs have been great for us.

“It was tough to take and I never want to use this competition just to get people fit or blood the