Report by Tom Crocker:-

AFC Bournemouth are out of the FA Cup with Budweiser despite a late fight back against npower League Two side Gillingham.

Lee Bradbury was forced into changes due to FA Cup ineligibilities within the squad. Stephane Zubar and Michael Symes returned to the starting line-up as the Cherries switched back to a 4-4-2. Steven Gregory and Shaun Cooper returned from injury to make the bench, alongside youngsters Lewis Lindsay and Josh Carmichael.

The Gills started brightly as the visitors struggled to keep possession and they got their reward in the twenty first minute when Curtis Weston's long range strike went through a crowd of bodies and beyond Flahavan.

The Cherries looked livelier towards the end of the half with Simon Francis going close to his first Bournemouth goal before Wes Thomas was denied a strong penalty claim where he appeared to be tugged by Frampton when trying to latch onto Scott Malone's cross.

The Cherries started the second half brightly with Simon Francis' cross so nearly reaching Wes Thomas for a tap in only for Charlie Lee to prod the ball behind.

However in a frantic start to the half the Gills almost doubled their advantage. Half time substitute Stefan Payne did well to find a yard of space and his shot towards the bottom corner was well tipped round the post by Darryl Flahavan.

Yet moments later the scores were levelled thanks to excellent work on the wing from Scott Malone. As with the initial meeting between the two sides Malone caused real trouble on the left and this time his cross was turned into his own net by Andy Frampton with Thomas lurking.

Just past the hour mark the visitors created a great chance to take the lead when a corner found Marc Pugh at the back post and the winger looked to slide the ball in but Ross Flitney saved well with his legs.

It was Pugh in the thick of the action again three minutes later when he latched onto Michael Symes flick on and charged towards goal. He appeared to be tripped but stayed on his feet when he could've gone down before seeing his shot blocked at the near post.

The match swung back in Gillingham's favour as the match entered its final quarter of an hour. The impressive Stefan Payne received possession from a throw-in and he did well to supply a dangerous cross which Flahavan parried away but he couldn't prevent Garry Richards from tucking the ball home inside the six yard box.

Steve Fletcher and Shaun Cooper were immediately introduced but before they had a chance to make an impact the game was killed by a third Gillingham goal. Jack Payne picked out Stefan Payne and the striker tucked the ball into the bottom corner to send the home crowd into raptures as they began to seriously think about their second round clash away to Leyton Orient.

However, just as many fans would've thought the tie was over, Harry Arter showed his class as the game moved into four minutes of stoppage time. The influential midfielder, who hadn't netted since the middle of September, curled a brilliant free kick into the back of the net to give Bournemouth late hope.

That hope almost turned into an equaliser shortly after Arter's strike. Brilliant work from Pugh on the right culminated in a cross towards Scott Malone at the back post but Steve Fletcher intervened trying to prod home the equaliser but his shot went wide of the post.

The Cherries continued to pump the ball forwards with Fletch winning the headers but they couldn't replicate the late equaliser that Gillingham scored at the Seward Stadium ten days ago as Lee Bradbury's side were knocked out of the FA Cup with Budweiser at the first round stage.

Gillingham: Flitney; Lee, Richards, Frampton (c), Martin; Whelpdale (S. Payne 45), Montrose, Weston (Rance 90+2), J. Payne, Oli (Fish 81); Kedwell

Subs not used: Gazzaniga, King, Evans, Miller

Goals: Weston (21), Richards (75), S. Payne (82)

Yellow Card: J. Payne (71)

AFC Bournemouth: Flahavan; Francis, Zubar, Barrett (c), Cummings (Gregory 84); Pugh, Purches (Cooper 77), Arter, Malone; Thomas, Symes (Fletcher 77)

Subs not used: Jalal, Lindsay, Carmichael, Taylor

Goals: Frampton (OG) (55), Arter (90+1)

Yellow Cards: Symes (36), Cummings (73)

Attendance: 4,033 including 166 Bournemouth supporters