New boy Febian Brandy marked his debut with a goal as Gillingham strolled into the second round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Brandy, a recent signing on loan from Manchester United, netted Gillingham’s second of the afternoon after Curtis Weston had opened the scoring on 25 minutes.

Mark Bentley headed home the third on the hour mark to make it 3-0.

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson was delighted to be in the next round and quick to look forward to Sunday’s second round draw.

He said: “The FA Cup is a massive competition. It’s great to be in round two and I can’t wait for the draw. I don’t mind who we get, I just want a home draw.

“I was really pleased with the performance. I changed the team around a bit and the boys who came in have done well.

“Febian looked sharp and you don’t become a produce of Manchester United if you have no ability or something about you.

“He’s set a standard now and I would be surprised if he doesn’t keep that up.

“We haven’t got Simeon Jackson next week, as he’s away on international duty, and we pulled him off at the end to protect him. Andy Barcham felt his groin, but he too was fine.”

The first half goals from Brandy (pictured celebrating his goal) and Weston put an end to a nervy opening from the Gills, where even top scorer Jackson was unable to lift the tempo.

Gillingham’s 11-goal striker had an opportunity from the penalty spot to put his side ahead, after Brandy had been pushed in the area by Simon Francis. United keeper Steve Mildenhall made a great save though to deny Jackson of a fifth penalty success.

With 25 minutes gone the Gills took the lead when Weston played a one-two with Brandy and slotted past the keeper.

All of a sudden Gillingham found their rhythm and three minutes later they doubled the lead as Brandy turned in a Chris Palmer cross.

Southend weren’t completely dead and buried as Anthony Grant headed wide and Francis Laurent fired over.

Brandy ended an impressive half by forcing Mildenhall into making two saves. One effort nearly squirmed through his legs and the other was parried wide from a powerful shot.

Mark Bentley sealed Gillingham place in the hat for round two as he headed home Palmer’s 62nd minute cross. Palmer was recalled to the side at the expense of John Nutter and it was his second assist of the match.

A miserable afternoon for Southend was summed up as Dougie Freedman missed an open goal with 15 minutes left.

Gills keeper Simon Royce had to remain alert and he saved well from Jean Francois-Christophe’s shot which looked to be creeping into the corner.

Gills: Royce, Fuller, Palmer, Gowling, Fry, Lewis (Maher 61mins), Bentley, Weston, Barcham (Nutter 63mins), Jackson, Brandy (McCammon 70mins). Subs not used: Oli, Julian, Rooney, Payne.

Southend: Mildenhall, Herd (Scannell 31mins), Francis, Francois-Christophe, Barrett, Grant, Moussa, O’Keefe, Laurent (Okai 89mins), Freedman, Walker (Asante 83mins). Subs not used: Joyce.

Attendance: 4,605