Gillingham's FA Cup run was cut horribly short after a quickfire second-half double saw Barnet come from a goal behind to book their place into the next round. A close range header from Ismael Yakubu brought the sides level before another close range header, from Liam Hatch, sent the Gills crashing out of the competition. Mark Stimson's side had taken the lead in the first-half thanks to Dave Graham's six yard header from a Nicky Southall cross.

Indeed it was Gillingham who made the best of the opening exchanges with a penalty shout turned down after Dave Graham appeared to be tripped in the box in the fifth minute.

Barnet played tight football, closing everything down quickly and in numbers, which prevented Gillingham from playing with any fluidity or cohesion. When they stole the ball in the middle of the park, striker Adam Birchell broke into space down the right before firing a low drive goalward but his effort was well blocked by Gills keeper Simon Royce.

The first half was suffocated by the Bees and very little happened from then on until an inviting cross from the right-hand side by Southall split the opposition defence and allowed Dave Graham to head home for his fourth of the season. Gillingham went into the break 1-0 up and the happier of the two sides.

Barnet came out into the second half revitalised and began playing the ball quickly, keeping it away from the Gills midfield and preventing the Gills to get any sort of foothold in the game. The Bees carved their first chance of the half only minutes in when a cross from the right by Carew was flicked on dangerously by Birchall but Sodje was on hand to clear from inside his own six yard box
Gillingham came exceptionally close on the hour when Steve Lomas superbly picked out Southall who played a neat ball across the six yard box where Graham was waiting to shoot from close range, however Bees keeper Harrison pulled off a super save to deny the Gills forward.

With only a one goal lead Gillingham always seemed susceptible to the equaliser and it finally came in the 61st minute. A high hanging ball, from a wide free-kick, was not punched clear by Simon Royce leaving Yakubu open to nod home from six yards. A surprise equaliser was shortly followed by an even more surprising second goal, and the lead, when Kenny Gillet's brilliant ball from the left was met by former Gravesend and Northfleet striker Liam Hatch at the back post.

Gillingham could have, and probably should have, brought the scores level in the 65th minute when Barry Cogan's good work on the left saw him deliver a dangerous cross to Delroy Facey's feet but his first time effort was cleared by the covering defender.

2-1 down in the FA Cup and time to draw upon the FA Cup's historic knack of providing dream finishes as 15 year old Luke Freeman was brought on for central defender Efe Sodje to make his first team debut. However, it was not to be as Barnet closed their lines and ensured that the dream ending would be written into the Barnet history books and not the Gills'.

Corners: Barnet 9 Gillingham 3

Cautions:

Barnet: Ashley Carew

Gillingham: Mark Bentley; Barry Cogan

Dismissals: Barnet: Ashley Carew (two yellow cards)

Barnet- 1 Lee Harrison; 2 Joe Devera; 4 Neal Bishop; 5 Ismail Yakubu (c); 7 Liam Hatch; 10 Adam Birchall; 11 Jason Puncheon; 16 Ashley Carew; 19 Sagi Burton; 21 Kenny Gillet; 24 Josh Wright
Subs - 3 Nicky Nicolau; 9 Giuliano Grazioli; 18 Rob Beckwith; 22 Joe O'Cearuill

6 Michael Leary on for 24 Josh Wright (69)

Gillingham - 12 Simon Royce; 4 Steve Lomas; 5 Simon King (c); 6 Ian Cox; 8 Mark Bentley; 10 Delroy Facey; 11 Nicky Southall; 14 Aaron Brown; 16 Efe Sodje; 20 Dave Graham; 23 Barry Cogan
Subs -; 19 Sean Clohessy; 22 Derek Stillie

7 Andrew Crofts on for 4 Steve Lomas (72)

9 Gary Mulligan on for 10 Delroy Facey (72)

27 Luke Freeman on for Efe Sodje (75)

Referee - Mr Pat Miller
Assistants - Mr Nick Hobbs & Mr Geoff Russell
4th Official - Mr Harry Lennard

Attendance - 2843
Away - 895