Gillingham forward Jayden Clarke admitted they feared the worst ahead of Tuesday night’s cup tie with Southampton - but those fears were quick to disappear.

Clarke enjoyed his best game in a Gills shirt as he rampaged down the right flank, helping his side to a 1-0 lead at the break and a memorable 3-1 win by full-time. With some gilt-edged chances going astray and a goal controversially disallowed, the scoreline could have been even greater in the end.

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That wasn’t how anyone could have imagined Tuesday night panning out after the Gills team sat watching Southampton beat Sheffield Wednesday at their team hotel last Friday night.

Clarke said: “A few people were fearing the worst after watching their game in the hotel. I am pretty sure they broke a record for the most passes in the first half or something.

“We went into the game not really expecting to have any of the ball, but we were up for it and from the first few minutes we realised we were going to have the ball a bit more than we thought.”

The Gills were the team doing all the attacking early on and deserved their opener through Ashley Nadesan, after Dom Jefferies had burst forward and played the ball perfectly for the striker.

Shad Ogie and Ethan Coleman put great chances wide and Robbie McKenzie had one struck off after the goalkeeper was fouled, according to the referee.

Clarke said: “As a player, you get a feeling when you have got a chance, and I think even before we scored our first goal we had that feeling.

“We could have been 3-0 up at half-time and there was the one which got disallowed, which shouldn’t have been.”

Rather than sit back in the second half, the Gills kept up the pressure, scoring twice more through McKenzie to give them a healthy lead, that even with the introduction of some top talent, Southampton couldn’t overhaul.

“We were happy to see it out the second half,” said the wide-man, who was making only his second start and fifth appearance for the Gills.

“It was a really good performance. I would probably say it was my best performance, I haven’t had too many, but I am happy with that. Hopefully I can continue it whenever I get a chance again.”

There were plenty of names in the hat for man-of-the-match, with Clarke getting the sponsors’ pick and a standing ovation as he left the field late on.

It had been an evening to remember.

“The atmosphere was amazing,” said the 22-year-old.

“From when we first walked out, you could hear that they were up for it, then for the first and second goal, then the third, it just erupted.

“We’re happy to give them something to go home with.

“I haven’t heard Priestfield like that before, which was a great feeling, obviously me personally I have come from non-league and playing against a team just relegated from the Premier League was a great experience.

“All the boys enjoyed it, we look forward to Saturday now.”

The team had a well-earned day’s rest on Wednesday before returning today (Thursday) to prepare for Accrington in the league.

Clarke added: “We’ll be ready Thursday morning to train and look forward to Accrington, another tough test, and hopefully we can finish the week off with three points.”