Goalscorer Cody McDonald admits the manager’s stern words might have helped them get back on track.

The Gills were back in the club on Thursday – the day after their FA Cup loss to Brackley Town – for a dressing down from Justin Edinburgh.

He said: “We were down after Wednesday, no doubt about it. We were in Thursday, we had words and we weren’t happy.

“We know we didn’t perform well. We should have won but didn’t. It shows great character to come back from that and although we are disappointed to be out the FA Cup we can concentrate on the league now and hopefully that will stand us in good stead.

“It has been difficult for the gaffer but he has been superb with us and gave us the rollocking we needed after Wednesday. There was no hiding away, we didn’t perform, he had to tell us and we possibly needed that."

McDonald took less than two minutes to put the Gills ahead at the Bescot Stadium.

He said: “It might have helped that we went in front early doors. We were desperately under pressure going into the game but we handled it very well.

“You can only commend the gaffer, and the players, along with the fans for showing up in numbers.

"They got us through at the end there and we are very thankful to them. It was a great day all round.”