A 10-minute cameo from young defender Henry Arnold made manager Justin Edinburgh’s night on Tuesday.

Arnold was making his first appearance for the senior squad, replacing former England international Paul Konchesky at left back for the final few minutes of the friendly at Dartford.

He didn’t put a foot wrong during his time on the pitch and almost found the top corner with an effort in the last minute that stung the palms of Dartford keeper Deren Ibrahim.

It was a performance that Edinburgh was thrilled with.

He said: “It was pleasing to see and it made my night.

“When you see someone who only left school a couple of months ago and he is playing with the first team and it looked like water off a duck’s back.

“It was great to see and I know how he will be feeling. The players gave him a great reception and it would have been even better had that shot gone into the top corner! That certainly would have made the night.”

Arnold first became involved with Gills’ senior side in the friendly at Barnet on Saturday but was an unused substitute.

He won his place in the squad after impressing in a practice game against Dover Athletic’s first team on Thursday.