Three points are just around the corner, insists Gills head coach Ady Pennock.

Pennock has yet to enjoy a Gillingham win, eight games into his tenure.

Since he arrived, the Gills have been sucked into a relegation battle. They are now 11 games without a win, a run that has left them 18th in League 1 – just two points above the drop zone.

Gills are due to host Southend on Saturday and Pennock remains confident that his squad can deliver after the midweek draw with AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield.

He said: “They deserve three points, it’s just around the corner. We need a bit of luck. The boys work so hard in training and there is a good togetherness.

"The players aren’t feeling sorry for themselves at all, they are upbeat about how they played and how they were. They are disappointed because we were that close to getting three points but I do believe (a win) is not far away.

“If they keep playing the way they have been, especially Tuesday night (against AFC Wimbledon) and the second half against Coventry, and even the games against Bradford and Sheffield United, we’re not too far away now.”

A rejuvenated Bradley Dack – named man-of-the-match on Tuesday – could be key to breaking Gillingham’s winless run.

Pennock said: “People say to me he has lost this and he has lost that but I see the positives in him all the time. Since I have arrived his fitness levels have been good. He is getting back to how he was before and it was a great goal (on Tuesday).”

“He puts in a real good shift and is very dangerous on the ball.”

Attacking players Lee Martin and Josh Parker were handed their first starts for Gills on Tuesday and they could also be key.

Pennock said: “Lee Martin’s fitness levels are through the roof, it’s phenomenal. On the ball he makes things happen, he makes things tick.

"Josh Parker has been patient and he is a threat because he has that pace, he plays off people’s shoulders and I thought him and Rory (Donnelly) linked up really well (in attack).”