Matt Heath's strike proved enough to book Colchester a place in round two of the Carling Cup.
Colchester progress to the second round of the Carling Cup
Matt Heath's solitary strike proved enough to book Colchester a place in round two of the Carling Cup as they beat League Two Gillingham 1-0 at Priestfield.
The hosts should have led after four minutes. Simeon Jackson's deft touch released Mark McCammon but the summer signing from Doncaster took one touch too many and his eventual effort was smothered by Us goalkeeper Dean Gerken.
The miss proved costly seven minutes later when the Gills' defence failed to deal with Mark Yeates' inswinging free-kick. Paul Reid flicked on and Heath, Geraint Williams' summer signing from Leeds, headed home off the underside of the bar despite debutant keeper Alan Julian's parry.
Jackson might have levelled within two minutes but he saw his venomous strike beaten over by Gerken and the hosts again went close when Adam Miller fizzed a free-kick inches wide.
Gills boss Mark Stimson made a triple substitution just after the hour, introducing Gary Mulligan, Dennis Oli and Tyrone Berry in a bid to turn the tide, but it took a stunning save by Julian from Kemal Izzet to keep the deficit at 1-0.
Jackson twice went close with stinging efforts as Gillingham pressed but the visitors hung on to claim the win
