Billy Bingham’s absence at the weekend was a massive blow to the Gills, admitted head coach Ady Pennock.

Bingham pulled out of the game at Oxford with concussion, having picked up a knock in training the day before the game.

He travelled with the team on Saturday but was unable to take part, leading to a recall for Jake Hessenthaler.

Pennock said: “We missed Billy Bingham. He told us on the way to the stadium he was feeling a bit concussed.

“He couldn’t see out of one eye. That was a kick in the teeth for us.”

Bingham will also now be missing for the midweek trip to AFC Wimbledon.

The Gills were able to welcome back defender Gabriel Zakuani, following international duty, but he couldn’t last the 90 minutes. He was replaced in the second half by Max Ehmer.

“He was cramping up and could hardly run,” said the Gills boss.

Zakuani will now be monitored closely to see if he can feature at Wimbledon.