NEWS FLASH: Former Gillingham player and new manager have officially agreed to a short-term contract, meaning big boots for Gillingham.

Preview: Gillingham travel to National League South Maidstone United in the Kent Senior Cup Second Round at the Gallagher Stadium

Gillingham kick off their challenge tonight in a county cup competition they haven’t won since 1948.

The Gills start their 2023/24 Kent Senior Cup challenge at the second round stage away to old rivals Maidstone United. Both teams received a bye in Round One.

Gillingham sold out their ticket allocation for the match at the Gallagher Stadium on Monday and the club say no tickets will be available to purchase at the ground. The Gills will be backed by 500 fans.

Since beating Gravesend & Northfleet in the 1947/48 final in Maidstone – their second win in the competition – the Gills have been losing finalists on five occasions.

A 1-0 loss to Charlton in April 2015, at Priestfield, was the last time they competed in the final.

Gillingham may be better equipped for success in the competition this season after establishing a B Team, meaning Maidstone are likely to be up against a side containing young senior professionals, rather than youth players.

What the team will look like on Tuesday was up in the air after a heavy defeat at Walsall in League 2 on Saturday. The Gills have several senior players nursing injuries and with a big game against Notts County at Priestfield on Saturday, there will be no risks taken.

The Gills haven’t had much look against The Stones in their recent county cup meetings.

Maidstone beat Gillingham 2-1 in the 2018 quarter-finals – the clubs’ first competitive meeting since a 1-1 draw in the old Division 4 in 1992.

They met again the following season, with the Stones winning 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the semi-finals.

Both matched were played at the Gallagher Stadium, attracting healthy crowds of 1,600 and 1,400 respectively.

Kick-off at the Gallagher Stadium is 7.45pm.