By Chris Dicketts

The Gills came through their toughest test so far this season as they progressed through to the second round of the League Cup.

Goals from Vicky Ashton-Jones and Ashlee Hincks in either half put the gloss on an unconvincing performance at Martin Grove this afternoon.

Manager Ian Varley made one change from the team that beat Dagenham and Redbridge 11-0 in midweek as goalkeeper Katie Duffy made her debut in goal in the absence of Laura Halfpenny.

The Gills came out of the blocks quicker than their opponents in the opening minutes and from the outset it looked like it the game could be heading for another rout.

In the sixth minute Ashlee Hincks, showing the same impressive form as she has done all season, got through on goal but put her shot wide.

Spurs first attempt came in the three minutes later as Nichola Cable was tackled but the ball found its way to Charlotte Snow, her shot was saved by Katie Duffy.

Soon after Ashlee Hincks broke through again but her shot was well saved by Ebony Cabey-Gooden.

Natalie Crinean was involved in the next move when she was put through by Danielle Farmer via deflection but her shot was straight at the keeper. That was the last action she would see as she was taken off with an injury, and replaced by the impressive Kylie Overton.

In the 24^th minute, from a free kick, the ball fell to Les Kay, she struck a shot from 25 yards, but it went well wide.

Three minutes later Amy Russ played a ball across the box and Vicky Ashton-Jones came in on the back post to slot home and make it 1-0.

Just before half time Ashlee Hincks played Kylie Overton in on goal but despite beating her marker, she put her shot over the cross bar.

As the half time whistle was set to blow the Gills should have been 2-0 up but Vicky Ashton-Jones' cross was missed by Ashlee Hincks, as she took her eye off the ball with an open goal two yards out.

Half Time 1-0

In the 50^th minute Ashlee Hincks put a cross into the area that came off of Kylie Overton and fell to Les Kay, her shot went high over the cross bar.

Just before the hour mark manager Ian Varley made his second substitution withdrawing Vicky Ashton-Jones with a view to next week and bringing on Jodie Mugford.

Soon after Danielle Farmer played in Ashlee Hincks and the striker put her shot wide of the far post without troubling the keeper.

Then in the 70^th minute Ashlee Hincks finally got the goal that she had threatened to score all afternoon, when she collected a ball from Jodie Mugford and slotted home.

The game started to wind down from then on and despite copious amounts of possession neither team could create a decent opening.

In the 90^th minute Danielle Farmer mistimed a tackle on the edge of her own area and from the resulting free kick Nichola Cable cannoned her shot off the cross bar.

Gills Ladies: Katie Duffy, Whitney Judd, Georgie Tricker, Les Kay, Kelly Herrett, Becky Lyon, Danielle Farmer, Ashlee Hincks, Natalie Crinean (Kylie Overton, 20), Amy Russ (Charlotte Abbott, 85), Vicky Ashton-Jones (Jodie Mugford, 59)

Subs not used: Charlotte Thurston, Anna Broad

Att: 82