Gillingham’s win at Lincoln was a statement to the rest of their relegation rivals, according to boss Neil Harris.

The 2-0 victory over The Imps - who are now just four points above the drop zone themselves - ensured the Gills moved closer to safety in League 1.

• Report: Lincoln 0 Gillingham 2

• Reaction: Boss ecstatic with win

Harris has managed to get some good performance out of his adopted team but was keen for an eye-catching result. Saturday was just what he had hoped for.

He said: “We had a statement performance on Tuesday night (against Wimbledon) of what we could look like and how good we could be and the fans I think went away really delighted with what they saw, but really gutted that we didn’t score a goal, that is how we felt as a group coming in on the Thursday and Friday.

“I said to them, somewhere along the line we have to make a statement result and I thought (on Saturday) we had the performance and the result. That is a result people around us and above us will look at and will fear us coming after them now.”

Even before Saturday’s game there were plenty of Lincoln fans fearful of an improving Gillingham team heading to Sincil Bank.

Harris said: “People ask me what to expect from a Neil Harris side, well I think that was it, maybe it was not the shape I would choose to play but it is the personnel we have got and it is working for us.

"We were physical, strong, organised, structured, a disciplined side that gave nothing to the opponent, we didn’t give an inch or a quarter.

“I like my team to play that way and I know the Gillingham fans want that, because enough of them have told me and I have been beat enough times by Gillingham sides over the years to know that is what they want.

“I thought it was a statement result just to show the league that we mean business and we are gunning for the teams above us.”