​GOALKEEPER Lance Cronin did his bit, but three missed penalties – by Stefan Payne, Danny Spiller and Jack Payne – heralded a first-round Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at the hands of Southend at Roots Hall on Tuesday night.

The tie itself never really got going and all the drama was saved till the penalty shoot out which followed the goalless stalemate.

First up was youngster Stefan Payne, whose effort was saved. Mark McCammon, John Nutter and Kevin Maher all made nom mistake and with Cronin saving Southend’s second it was 3-3 going into the final round.

Disaster for Gills as Spiller stuck his kick into the top tier of the empty stand, but Cronin made sure that miss wasn’t fatal by saving the home side’s fifth attempt low to his left.

Unfortunately for the visitors, Jack Payne was denied when Southend keeper Rhys Evans stopped his kick with a trailing boot, leaving son of manager Paul Sturrock, Blair, to calmly put his side into the second round.

Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler will be demanding a lot more hard work on finishing before Saturday’s trip to Bury.