Gillingham manager Martin Allen does not want to suffer hurt of being knocked off top spot by Port Vale

By Luke Cawdell
Martin Allen endured a miserable afternoon the last time
Gillingham were knocked off top spot and he doesn’t want a
repeat.
The Gills manager was a spectator in the stands over Christmas
as Port Vale won 3-2 at Dagenham to briefly take over at the top of
League 2.
Allen’s men weren’t in action that day but wins at Southend and
Bristol Rovers have since restored the Gills back to first
place.
Just two points separate challengers Port Vale and leaders
Gillingham ahead of this weekend’s top-of-the-table clash between
the two clubs at Priestfield.
Allen (pictured) said: "Come 4.50pm on Saturday afternoon, we
want all our Gillingham fans toward the end of that game to be
proudly singing that ‘we are top of the league’.
"For 70 minutes at Dagenham I sat in the stand doing my scouting
report on Port Vale and for 70 minutes I heard Port Vale supporters
singing ‘we are top of the league’ as they went past us that day. I
have to say, it hurt.
He added: "We had been knocked off the top for the first time in
the whole season and the response since then from our players has
been magnificent.
"We must maintain those standards now and make sure we never,
ever, lose our place at the top right through to the end of the
season."
How important is maintaining top spot? Have your say
below.
10/01/13
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