Gills into the area final

John Egan netted the winner 11 minutes from time as Gillingham put their poor league form to one side to reach the Johnstone's Paint Trophy Southern section final with a 1-0 defeat of Leyton Orient.The 22-year-old powered a header past O's keeper Adam Legzdins following a pin-point corner from Michael Doughty as the Gills became the first team to advance out of the area semi-finals.Gillingham, who have won just once in 11 in the league, started on the back foot with Dave Mooney having the first real chance after 18 minutes but his header was straight at Stuart Nelson.Nelson had to be alert from a deflected Shane Lowry free-kick moments later before the Australian beat the keeper with another set piece but was this time denied by the bar.Lowry was then called upon at the other end with his block preventing Luke Norris from putting the Gills ahead against the run of play with the same player volleying high and wide after the break.Bradley Pritchard poked wide for the O's in response and sub Cody McDonald was denied for the Gills before Egan jumped unchallenged for the winner in the 79th minute.