Gillingham had plenty of senior players missing for their opening pre-season encounter but enough to see off Dover at Crabble on Tuesday night.
Robbie McKenzie put Gillingham ahead at the end of an entertaining opening half at Dover and his well-hit effort was the only goal of the night.
Gillingham named a different team in each half as manager Gareth Ainsworth fielded a mix of senior players and young prospects. Former Blackburn youngster Lenny Cirino also appeared as a trialist in the second half at left-back.
Young pros such as Harry Bridle, Harry Webster, Harry Waldock and Damien Theodore featured, along with youth midfielder Cruz Beszant.
New signing Seb Palmer-Houlden played in the second half team but there was no Sam Vokes – the experienced forward set to miss much of pre-season action as he recovers from a broken arm.
Ainsworth had warned before kick off that he would be playing it safe with several senior players and those missing also included Jonny Williams, Euan Williams, Elliott Nevitt, Andy Smith, Nelson Khumbeni and Aaron Rowe.
The Gills are back in action against Reading on Saturday, which could be a chance for some of those to make a first appearance.
Gillingham were up against a Dover side who won promotion back to National South at the first attempt last season. While it was a first outing of the summer for the Gills, Dover played Faversham Town at the weekend.
Whites boss Jake Leberl included a handful of trialists in his matchday squad while naming newly-signed defenders Henry Lukombo and Harry Beadle in the opening half XI.
Gills keeper Jake Turner – who ended last season on loan at Dagenham – was called upon to make a couple of early saves as Dover started brightly. Alfie Matthews also tried his luck from distance with a lob that was wide of the mark.
Matthews and George Nikaj were linking up well in the forward areas for Dover and the latter forced Turner into another stop.
Gillingham’s first real chance came from a set-piece but Dack’s free-kick missed the target.
The Gills had big striker Josh Andrews starting the match – a welcome sight after so many injury problems last season – playing alongside Bridle with Jack Nolan and Marcus Wyllie on either side – swapping flanks at the midway point. Dack was playing in his favoured position behind the front two.
Midfielder Ethan Coleman was in a less familiar central defensive role.
Dack looked bright and he was denied by Mitch Walker after a decent turn in the box to make space while Andrews headed wide moments later as the Gills threatened themselves.
Bridle also nodded a chance over the bar as Dack hung in a cross for the young striker.
Walker also held onto a Coleman header from a Dack corner as the Gills looked to take advantage of a period of dominance over their non-league hosts.
Nolan was looking more productive down the right side and he went close with a low shot from the edge of the box, after cutting inside, the Gills counter-attacking from Coleman’s well-hit pass.
Ruben Soares-Junior had a deflected effort go close for Dover in a half which wasn’t short of chances. Bridle also fired a shot into the arms of home keeper Walker.
Wyllie couldn’t make the most of a good opportunity late in the half, unable to dig out a shot, while McKenzie was brave in blocking a Soares-Junior effort.
In a half full of chances, a goal finally came in first-half stoppage-time, McKenzie rifling the ball home after Max Clark’s free-kick fell invitingly for the midfielder.
It was all-change for the second period as both teams made sweeping changes.
Gillingham’s second XI side was more inexperienced than the first but Glenn Morris offered plenty of knowhow in goal and Armani Little and Conor Masterson were there to help guide the youngsters.
Gillingham’s summer signing Palmer-Houlden tried his luck early in the second half but fired wide.
Joe Gbode was looking lively out on the left side for the Gills in the second half and he went close to getting the second goal, moving into the centre to get on the end of Beszant’s ball in, but his effort went over the bar.
There was plenty of energy out on the right side too with Theodore looking to make something happen at every opportunity.
Palmer-Houlden had another chance when he met Waldock’s cross at the near post but the shot went just wide. Masterson also had a header cleared off the line after connecting with an Armani Little corner.
Dover first half: Walker, Lukombo, Trialist A, Beadle, Trialist B, Hanson, Trialist C, Matthews, Nikaj, Soares-Junior, Baptiste.
Dover second half: Boakye, Lukombo, Tennent, Gyebi (Jadama 83mins), Trialist, Cocoracchio (Holden 83mins), Wilkinson, Fiddes, Mampolo, Coker, Sheriff (Onu 76mins).
Gillingham first half: Turner, Hutton, Clark, Ogie, McKenzie, Coleman, Dack, Nolan, Bridle, Andrews, Wyllie.
Gillingham second half: Morris, Webster, Cirino, Gale, Masterson, Little, Beszant, Waldock, Theodore, Gbode, Palmer-Houlden.
Subs not used: Luxton, Dayal.
Attendance: 1,225
