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'We had to walk here' - Premier League giant killers revel in remarkable win

Gillingham stunned Brentford with a 6-5 victory on penalties

NEIL HARRIS revealed Gillingham had to walk the last part of their journey to Brentford before running away with a place in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

The League Two Gills stunned their top-flight hosts with a 6-5 win on penalties after battling to a 1-1 draw.

Ivan Toneyโ€™s early goal put the Bees ahead but Gillingham hit back through a 73rd-minute header from substitute Mikael Mandron.

And after 11 successful spot-kicks Brentford midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard crashed his penalty against the crossbar to send the underdogs through.

It made it all the more memorable a day for the Kent club given the circumstances surrounding their arrival, which meant kick-off was delayed by 20 minutes.

โ€œWe had to walk here, we had to climb over barriers and help each other get over fences,โ€ said Gills boss Harris.

โ€œWe got to about a quarter of a mile from Chiswick Roundabout and we got stuck. Fortunately we had a tactics board on the bus.

โ€œBut we couldnโ€™t move and they couldnโ€™t get a police escort to us. So we got in touch with the officials and decided to walk โ€“ probably about a 10-minute walk.

โ€œAnd we had to leave two hours early this morning because of protestors. Itโ€™s been a bit of a carnage day.

โ€œItโ€™s a memorable night because of the performance, but also because of the factors surrounding it.โ€

Brentford boss Thomas Frank picked a strong team including England World Cup hopeful Toney, who did at least have the chance to showcase his nerveless penalty technique in the shoot-out one last time before Gareth Southgate names his squad.

โ€œFirst of all congratulations to Gillingham, itโ€™s well done by them,โ€ said Frank.

โ€œI donโ€™t think you could doubt that I wanted to win with the team I put out. But Gillingham did their job very well, they took their chance and they were spotless in the penalty shoot-out.

โ€œIt is very frustrating. We wanted to go far in the competition. But this is cup football and why we love cup football. Thatโ€™s why there are so many stories in the cup. Thatโ€™s the โ€˜beautyโ€™ of it, and I hope Gillingham enjoy it.โ€

Asked if he had spoken to Damsgaard, Frank added: โ€œI gave him a hug, thatโ€™s it. He will feel down, but he will learn from this. โ€œ

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    Mute Gareth Keenan
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    May 16th 2020, 12:47 PM

    Outstanding timing by Spurs in fairness

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    Mute Johnsinker
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    May 16th 2020, 4:20 PM

    3 weeks compulsory service!

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