Leyton Orient 0 - 1 Gillingham
FA Cup with Budweiser Round Two

CURTIS WESTON'S goal on the stroke of half time sent Orient crashing out of the FA Cup to Gillingham on Saturday.

Memories of last year's glorious run to the fifth round were fresh in O's memories, but there will be no repeat this time around as League 2 Gillingham edged through.

In truth it was no less than the Kent club deserved as Orient seemed to lack energy - particularly in the first half - and only went close right at the death through Lee Cook, who smashed a shot against the crossbar.

Weston's goal proved enough for his side who will now be hoping for a bumper payday from tomorrow's Round Three draw.

The game started very quietly with neither team able to do much to enliven proceedings. It wasn't until the 13th minute that either produced a shot on goal, and Lewis Montrose's low effort from 35 yards was comfortable for Ben Alnwick.

The Gillingham supporters then voiced their displeasure at referee Phil Gibbs' decision that Weston's shot was blocked by Leon McSweeney's chest rather than an arm.

Leon McSweeney shot off target from range on 24 minutes, while Cook directed a free kick straight at Gills keeper Ross Flitney as genuine openings remained few and far between.

There were more penalty appeals from the visitors eight minutes before the break when Scott Cuthbert appeared to use his hand to repel a Weston header, but again referee Gibbs was unmoved.

Gillingham were looking the more likely to strike and their goal arrived a just before the break when Charlie Lee's long throw dropped between Cuthbert and Ben Chorley, where Weston was waiting to volley home.

Russell Slade introduced a second striker in Jamie Cureton from the bench as Orient looked for a response after the interval, but Gillingham created the first chance of the second half when another Lee throw caused problems for the hosts and Jack Payne hooked a volley over.

11 minutes after the restart Ben Alnwick was in trouble when his sliced kick dropped straight to Danny Kedwell inside the area, but the O's keeper atoned for his error by saving well.

Cureton had the ball in the net midway through the half, but an offside flag curtailed his celebrations after he latched on to a Stephen Dawson flick to loft home.

The veteran striker was involved again when he stabbed wide of the near post following a neat move involving Cook and Kevin Lisbie on 72.

Orient did raise their game as the end neared, but they still struggled to create, although Cook was a whisker away from statching a replay in stoppage time when he smashed a volley against the bar.

It stayed out and Gillingham were able to celebrate a second victory over a League 1 side in their FA Cup run so far.

Leyton Orient: Alnwick; Clarke, Cuthbert, Chorley (Forbes 46), McSweeney; Spring; Porter (Mooney 79), Dawson, Laird (Cureton 46), Cook; Lisbie
Subs: Butcher (GK), Cestor, Smith, Lobjoit

Gillingham: Flitney; Lee, Richards, Frampton, Martin; S Payne (Oli 68), Weston (Fish 90+1), J Payne, Montrose, Jackman; Kedwell
Subs: Davies, Rance, Essam, Evans, Gazzaniga (GK)

Goal: Weston 45+1

Booked: Montrose

Referee: Phillip Gibbs

Attendance: 3.763 (1,400 away)