Cup opponents Luton Town have given the likes of Gillingham hope that they too can make it to the big time - says manager Neil Harris.

Harris takes his team to Luton’s Kenilworth Road tonight for a Carabao Cup second-round match to face a club who are celebrating a return to the top-flight this season, a level they haven’t been at since 1992.

More: Gillingham look beyond Luton cup test

It’s been a remarkable journey that’s seen the Hatters drop out of the Football League, only to soar back up the pyramid, winning promotion the the Premier League as Championship play-off winners.

Gillingham looked on course to be playing non-league football themselves this season had it not been for the Galinson takeover and much-needed investment. They now head to Luton with hopes of rising through the leagues themselves.

Reaching the Premier League remains a dream, but Luton have shown what’s possible.

Harris said: “Luton are a really good role model for teams in the lower leagues, even Conference teams, teams who want to progress through the levels.

“I am not saying Gillingham will be there in 15 years, or that Notts County will get back to the Premier League or York City are going to get promoted and get there, but what Luton has shown everyone is a dream.

“With good infrastructure, good people and stability and a fantastic recruitment process, you can follow Brentford, Brighton and Luton, from the bottom of league 2 where they have all been in the last 20-odd years, to get to the top level.

“For us, it’s a great example. We have had a great start since the Leicester City (FA Cup) game on January 7, let’s keep that pathway as a football club moving forward.

“Luton have been a brilliant football club for a period and I think we as a football club can look at what Luton have done since the millennium, and how they have progressed and given real hope that we can follow that pathway.”

The Gills head into their midweek match off the back of their first defeat, losing 3-0 to Colchester, ending a run of five straight wins in league and cup.

Harris said: “It is a strong reminder and reinforces the point that I keep making about how random League 2 is, that anyone can beat anyone.

“I keep getting asked about league tables, I say (I don’t look until) 12 games and that is why. Colchester aren’t a team that will stay bottom of the league and we aren’t a team that keeps winning so there is a little bit of reflection.

“The lads have been brilliant for the first month of the season.

“The first goal is really key in any game but we have certainly seen that for us over the first four weeks of the season now and that was vital (on Saturday).

“Colchester got their noses infront and we had three really good chances first half to do that. If you don’t take your chances it makes it difficult for yourself when you go behind.”