Northampton Town 1 Gillingham 2: Jersey Mike’s Trophy group stage match report – Nottingham Forest loan man Lamin Sillah and Cameron Antwi on target as Gareth Ainsworth’s side progress to knockout stage

Manager Gareth Ainsworth named a strong side to ensure Gillingham qualified for the EFL Trophy knockout stage and his side eased through.

The Gills took the lead through Lamin Sillah, and although Elliott List equalised for Northampton early in the second half, Cameron Antwi restored the advantage for Ainsworth’s side with his first goal for the club.

The Gills were looking to qualify from the group stage for the first time in six years, and the 2-1 win was more than enough.

Ainsworth named a near-full-strength team for the game at the Sixfields Stadium, highlighting his determination to qualify for the round of 32.

He’ll be glad they got the job done but will have been frustrated to see both Andy Smith and Robbie McKenzie go off injured in the opening half.

All of his starters were senior players - the only youngster being Louie Dayal, who was named on the bench. Other young pros Michael Luxton, Harry Webster and Cruz Beszant weren’t involved, while Sullivan Booth played for the under-18s in their FA Youth Cup game at Luton.

Zane Albarus returned from injury and was included from the off, while Will Goodwin and Antwi also came back into the squad after time out injured.

Smith returned from a knock, which kept him out at the weekend, but he lasted only 21 minutes before being replaced by Antwi.

A reshuffle meant McKenzie dropped back into defence, but he also went off injured before the break and Ethan Coleman came off the bench for defensive duties, becoming the third player to take on the right-sided centre-half role.

Northampton needed to win by more than a single-goal margin to leapfrog the Gills and take the runners-up spot in the group behind winners Cambridge United.

The hosts made seven changes to the team that