Goalkeeper Tomas Holy got his first taste of English football on Saturday in the 1-0 defeat to Peterborough.

The 6ft 8in keeper was close to helping the Gills claim only their third clean sheet in the league before letting in a last-minute goal, which won it for the visitors.

Head coach Ady Pennock was happy with the keeper and felt Holy’s stature – in preference to regular keeper Stuart Nelson – was needed.

Pennock said: “We wanted a bit more presence, it was the time to bring him in and that was a football decision.

“He did well, he was confident, his kicking was good after a nervy first few minutes but he grew into the game. He was beaten by a very good goal, but other than that he did okay.”

Holy wasn’t the only debutant as Bournemouth winger Harry Cornick came on in the second half to make his first appearance for the Gills.

Pennock added: “He was bright and he was taking people on. He got corners and end products but I felt sorry for the centre-forwards. They got nothing at all and that was disappointing.”

Left out of the side was Mitchell Dickenson, a week after making his first Football League start at Rochdale. With senior players Ryan Jackson and Deji Oshilaja back from injury, he wasn’t required.

Explaining Dickenson’s absence, Pennock said: “He has done nothing wrong but Deji came in and I thought he did well. Jacko wasn’t 100% fit either but he came through okay (after coming on for injured Scott Wagstaff).”