Crystal Palace lost their final match of pre-season this afternoon as Gillingham recorded a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.

Eagles manager Neil Warnock fielded a largely reserve side, with only Stern John included from the side expected to play Plymouth next weekend.

In a dull first half Alassane N’Diaye, Palace’s top scorer in pre-season, had the only chance of note.

The young Frenchman nodded Lee Hills’ cross goalwards but Alan Julian tipped his effort over the bar.

Alan Lee was introduced after the break as Palace switched to a 4-4-2 and the Irishman immediately had a shot deflected over.

Adam Miller then rattled the underside of the crossbar for Gillingham, while Sean Scannell and Lee Hills had chances for Palace.

John should have done better when he miscued his header from Hills’ cross, with N’Diaye then firing over the rebound.

A minute later, Gillingham took the lead when Andy Barcham tricked his way to the byline and cut the ball back to Jack Payne, who had an easy finish from six yards.

Barcham should have doubled the lead but shot straight at Darryl Flahavan when well placed and Mark Bentley hit the post late on as Palace made a number of changes.

Attendance 1980

Crystal Palace: Darryl Flahavan (Charlie Mann, 82), Danny Butterfield (Jerry Nnamani, 82), Matt Lawrence, Johnny Ertl, Lee Hill (Matthew Parsons, 75), James Comley (Sean Scannell, 46), Alassane N’Diaye (Charlie Holness, 90), Nick Carle (Hakeem Adelakun, 82), Nathanial Pinney (Alan Lee, 46), Kieron Cadogan, Stern John (Michael Abnett, 69).

Gillingham: Alan Julian, Barry Fuller, John Nutter. Garry Richards (Tom Wynter, 80 ), Josh Gowling, Kevin Maher (Jack Payne, 13), Chris Palmer (Luke Rooney, 63), Adam Miller (Mark Bentley, 75), Curtis Weston (Rachid Youssef, 82), Simeon Jackson (Mark McCammon, 80), Andy Barcham.