Gillingham 4 Albion 3: Nti scores twice in EFL Trophy defeat

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League Two promotion chasers get the better of Albion.

Luke Nicoli

2026-10-13T21:00+01:00

Goals from Shane Nti ensured Albion had something to fight for in the second half. 📸 by Simon Roe.

Albion still have work to do to progress to the next stage of the Jersey Mike's Trophy following a 4-3 defeat at Gillingham.

Shane Nti grabbed a second-half brace, while Tyler Silsby netted a superb free-kick on the stroke of full-time, but Shannon Ruth's side had already fallen 4-0 behind to a Gills side that included a number of players who have featured in their high-flying League Two side this season.

The Seagulls, coming in to the game on the back of a 2-1 Premier League Cup win against Sheffield United last Friday, enjoyed plenty of early possession but it was the hosts who created the game's first chance when a Jack Daley header was saved from close range by Steven Hall.

The Albion keeper was again brought into action soon after to foil Tom Eaves and it took until the 28th minute for the visitors to register an effort at goal when Miah Oriola fired over.

Shane Nti grabbed a brace in the defeat. 📸 by Simon Roe.

Gillingham took the lead in bizarre circumstances on 32 minutes when Albion defender Ben Barclay placed the ball down to play out from his six-yard box, unaware that Hall had already put the ball in play. Referee Richard Eley immediately pointed to the spot and Eaves stepped up to drill home.

Albion responded soon after through George Munday, who bore down on goal only to see his effort palmed away by Gills keeper Rohan Luthra, but it was the hosts who doubled their lead six minutes before half-time when Bradley Dack's deft touch took the ball away from Hall and into the far corner of the net.

Silsby shaved a post with a 20-yard free-kick but the Seagulls were left with a mountain to climb when Ethan Coleman headed home a James Brophy cross in first-half injury time.

The Gills made it four shortly after the break when Dack drifted into space behind Albion's back line before squaring to Louie Dayal, who poked home from a yard out.

Valentin Joseph struck wide shortly after his introduction. 📸 by Simon Roe.

Nti grabbed the Seagulls a lifeline on 51 minutes when he fired home following an assist from Kofi Shaw, while sub Valentin Joseph flashed an effort wide of the target shortly after his introduction.

Nti doubled his account on 70 minutes with a superb 25-yard effort that flew into the top corner of Luthra's net and having dominated the closing stages, Albion were rewarded when Silsby netted a an equally impressive free-kick in the dying embers.

Tyler Silsby scored a late free-kick for Albion's third of the game. 📸 by Simon Roe.

With the top two teams progressing from the group, the result has left second-placed Albion level on points with third-placed Gills, with the Seagulls set to face leaders Cambridge United on 3 November.