A magical finish from John Miles ended Gillingham's cup ambitions on a freezing night in Lancashire.

After Saturday's defeat to Swindon Mark Stimson went on the offensive switching to a 4-4-2 formation with Jackson partnered by Oli up front. Tom Wynter earned a first start while Curtis Weston returned in midfield as Maher and Yussuff dropped to the bench.

Stanley fired a shot across their visitors bow inside the first minute, McConville's through ball found Grant who flashed a fierce effort past Julian's far post from the right hand edge of the box.

With the Gills struggling to play into the teeth of a strong, gusting wind, Accrington opted to shoot on sight, McConville testing Julian twice with half chances.

The home side were unlucky on 12 minutes as Winnard found Grant six yards from goal but the striker's shot on the turn curled wide of the top corner.

Within minutes good chances for Symes and Grant had gone begging as Stanley piled on the pressure. At the other end Gillingham's first effort on goal came on 19 minutes, Bentley teeing up Palmer to drive over the bar from the left touchline.

That proved to be a turning point in the half as Gillingham began to grow in confidence but their caused wasn't helped by, what looked like, a hip injury to Curtis Weston on the half hour.

HT 0-0

The visitors made a better start to the second half and were unfortunate not to score in the 49th minute. Lewis' through ball carried to Bentley in the box, his shot was blocked on the line by Stanley keeper Bouzanis and Jackson's follow up was hacked clear.

Nutter was next to test Bouzanis four minutes later, the full-back gathered Maher's short free-kick and drove a strong effort goal-wards from 25 yards but the home keeper was able to push it to safety.

That early promise petered out as the game decended once again into stalemate. Stimson responded by sending on Mark McCammon to try and bring a spark to the forward line.

On 72 minutes Mark Bentley thought he had won a penalty as he went to ground in the box, sadly a booking was his sole reward.

Moments later Symes broke clear at the opposite end, he got a shot away from the edge of the box but Julian was well placed to push it behind for a corner.

With 13 minutes normal time remaining Andy Barcham replaced Palmer to bring some pace to the left flank as Stanley finished strongly.

That pressure got its reward in the 81st minute as a deep free-kick was headed through to John Miles who fired beyond Julian into the far corner to break Gills hearts.

In time added on Jackson had a penalty appeal rejected and Julian blocked Symes chance to kill the tie, but the damage had aleady been done.

Attendance: 1322

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Barry Fuller, Josh Gowling, Tom Wynter, Chris Palmer (Andy Barcham 77), Mark Bentley, Curtis Weston (Kevin Maher 34), Stuart Lewis, John Nutter, Simeon Jackson, Dennis Oli (Mark McCammon 66).

Subs not used: Simon Locke, Rashid Yussuff, Luke Rooney, Jack Payne.

Accrington Stanley: Dean Bouzanis, Darran Kempson, Andrew Proctor, John Miles, Robert Grant, Philip Edwards, James Ryan, Dean Winnard, Sean McConville (Billy Kee 73), Michael Symes, Tom Lees.

Subs not used: Ian Dunbavin, Chris Turner, John Mullin.