Boss Ady Pennock was thrilled at Gillingham’s ‘never say die attitude’.

His side came from 1-0 down and 3-2 down to claim a point against Essex neighbours Southend.

Tom Eaves scored all three goals for the Gills in a lively game at Priestfield.

“We thoroughly deserved something from the game,” said the Gills boss.

Report: Gillingham 3 Southend United 3

Ady on his decision to leave Josh Wright out of the squad

“I was very pleased with Tom Eaves but it would have been a travesty if we didn’t get anything from the game.

"We had a go and we have that never say die attitude. That is what we need to have this year because we know it’s going to be tough.”

The Gills have yet to win but have drawn two from four and lost by just a single goal in both of their defeats.

“I’m seeing progress and that’s what we want,” said the manager.

“I’m just pleased that we scored a goal. That will have shut a few people up.

“The goals we’ve conceded were disappointing but what about the attitude and desire to get back into the game?

“We were 1-0 down, we showed a lot of character to get back into it and go 2-1 up, we conceded two poor goals to go 3-2 down but we never died, we rolled out sleeves up and we had that togetherness.”

Pennock switched formations just before the break, abandoning 3-5-2 and matching up with Southend’s 4-4-2.

The Gills were a goal down and under mounting pressure at the time.

“I didn’t want to go 2-0 down,” he said.

“They were coming through us too easy. I was going to do it earlier but the ball wouldn’t go out of play. They had a corner and I didn’t want to change it then but it was plan B and I had C as well. You have to do these things.

“It was a big decision to bring Max (Ehmer) off (for Josh Parker). He has been top drawer for me but we made that decision, We looked more solid and it was just a shame we didn’t win the game but we did have a good go.”