Gillingham 3 Brighton & Hove Albion under-21s 2: Lewis Walker opens his Gills account with a brace before Will Wright’s winner in Papa John’s Trophy; Evan Ferguson and Todd Miller on target for the Seagulls

Gillingham came from behind to beat Brighton's under-21s 3-2 in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Lewis Walker struck to put the Gills ahead but Brighton levelled through Evan Ferguson before the break and took the lead on the hour through Todd Miller. Walker netted his second, however, and Will Wright scored what turned out to be the winner with a precision free-kick. Referee Sam Purkiss controversially ruled out a fourth for Gills for a foul on the visiting keeper, having initially given the goal.

There were just the four changes for the Gills despite manager Neil Harris’ pre-match comments about the competition being pointless. Regulars Mika Mandron, Robbie McKenzie and Shaun Williams all started.

Injury kept a host of midfielders out of contention but there was a first return to the squad for youngster Josh Chambers since he signed a professional deal while Dom Jefferies also returned after several weeks out injured. Both were introduced in the second half.

The match was a slow-starter and Brighton striker Ferguson was the closest to getting in on goal, wasting one opportunity with a heavy touch and heading at Jake Turner with another soon after.

It was the Gills that took the lead after 19 minutes, a nice move that started with a ball forward from Alex MacDonald that split the defence and a low cross from Mika Mandron that was converted by Walker. It was his first for the Gills in the right net, having scored an own goal in the first EFL Trophy match this season against Charlton.

The Gills didn’t have the lead for long, however. With 28 gone a dream of a cross from Sam Packham, with pace and accuracy, was met by Ferguson, guiding the ball home past Jake Turner.

There was concern for Gills midfielder Williams late in the half