It was a mixed performance from the Gills on Tuesday night, according to caretaker boss Peter Taylor.

He was thrilled with some of their play against League 2 Colchester, especially the stoppage-time winner from Max Ehmer, but there was plenty to brush up on.

Taylor said: “I saw lot of good things and lots of frustrating things.

“It was quite a young team and so that’s going to be expected.

“I saw at times some lovely passing ability but then I saw some sloppiness where we didn’t think about our touch and we didn’t think about the fella who is receiving the ball and so then we lost the ball.

“Overall, I thought we might have just about nicked it. Colchester were very bright first half and caused us some problems but the longer the game went on it looked more like we were going to score than them.”

Report: Colchester United 0 Gillingham 1

The Gills scored their winner, with an Ehmer free-kick, in the 91 minutes, ensuring the Checkatrade Trophy tie didn’t go to penalties.

“It was a lovely time to get a goal,” said Taylor, who won at Colchester in the same competition as manager of the Gills three years earlier.

“Max’s free-kick was excellent. That is good for the boys, they have worked extremely hard and the last three matches I couldn’t have asked for any more running from them and it is nice that they are rewarded with a win.”

That previous win over Colchester came during an impressive run in the competition, with the Gills reaching the area final.

It’s a competition that Taylor certainly sees the benefits from, having handed both Aaron Simpson and Finn O’Mara their first senior starts on Tuesday.

He said: “It is what the youngsters need. Colchester are the same as us, they have youngsters who they are not sure about and they need to get them minutes in the first team, where a result is so important and to see if they can handle the pressure.

“We had a lot of young players out there who did well. Aaron Simpson and Finn O’Mara both did well, Oldaker does some incredible things at times, he just needs to get a bit more consistent and we knew we have got a very good player.

“Any wins that we can get at the minute will be good and it is only good for players.”