Gillingham 1 – 3 Blackburn

BLACKBURN Rovers are through to the third round of the Carling Cup after a comfortable victory at Gillingham tonight.

Rovers were ahead in the fifth mintue when David Dunn, making his first appearance of the season, collected a pass from Nikola Kalinic and coolly found the net.

David Dunn

Steven Reid, also returning from injury, limped off and had to be replaced at half time but Rovers moved 2-0 in front two minutes after the interval.

Keith Andrews put in a cross from the right flank and David Hoilett converted with a diving header.

Mort Gamst Pedersen

Gillingham were back in it with 21 minutes left as Zurab Khizanishvili brought down Simeon Jackson in the box and the striker got up to send Jason Brown the wrong way from the penalty spot.

But Morten Gamst Pedersen curled in direct from a corner to restore Rovers’ two-goal cushion in the 74th minute and book their place in the next round.

David Hoilett

Rovers: Jason Brown, Steven Reid (Vince Grella 46), Zurab Khizanishvili, Gael Givet, Martin Olsson, David Dunn (Elrio van Heerden 59), Steven Nzonzi, Keith Andrews, Morten Gamst Pedersen, David Hoilett, Nikola Kalinic (Jason Roberts 46).

Subs not used: Frank Fielding, Lars Jacobsen, Phil Jones, Stephen Warnock.

Gillingham: Simon Royce, Barry Fuller, Mark Bentlet, Josh Gowling, John Nutter, Dennis Oli (Chris Palmer 75), Kevin Maher (Danny Jackman 65), Curtis Weston (Jack Payne 65), Andy Barcham, Mark McCammon, Simeon Jackson.

Subs not used: Adam Miller, Jacob Erskine, Tom Wynter, Alan Julian.

Referee: Kevin Friend (Leicestershire).

Attendance: 7,293.