The Bees made the stronger start and took the lead inside six minutes when Ryan Glover sent a perfect cross into the box for Stead to head past Gillingham goalkeeper Glenn Morris.

Seven minutes later, the visitors equalised against the run of play as Bradley Dack threaded a low cross for Sullivan Booth to slot into the bottom-left corner.

Dean Brennan’s side responded immediately, retaking the lead two minutes later as a ricochet fell to Kabongo Tshimanga, who squared for Stead to poke home.

The 25-year-old completed his hat-trick inside 16 minutes and scored his fourth in the 30th minute with a close-range goal.

On the stroke of half-time, the Bees claimed their fifth as Glover’s inch-perfect corner was met by Romoney Crichlow, who drove home with a towering header.

With 20 minutes remaining, Kane Smith’s corner was turned in by Stead to make it six for the Bees, before Josh Andrews pulled a goal back in stoppage time for the Gills.