Stand-in Gillingham captain Bradley Dack was disappointed they couldn’t give a bumper home crowd something to cheer on Saturday.

A season-best crowd was at Priestfield to see the Gills take on Harrogate, fully expecting them to extend a record-breaking run of 21 games unbeaten. Sadly, the visitors became party-poopers with a 1-0 win.

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Dack’s previously been involved in some huge games at Priestfield, and bigger crowds than at the weekend, and he loved seeing the fans turn up in their numbers for the League 2 clash.

“It was nice to have support from behind both goals - they definitely helped us,” he said.

“They pushed us on and almost got us there. I think if we had got one, we would have definitely got two. That's how football goes.

“It was nice to have fans behind both goals and hopefully we can keep getting the gates in.

“It gives you such a lift when the place is full and rocking and when they get behind you.

“It would have been nice to have got a goal for them. We had a few chances early before they scored. It would have been nice to hear the roar once we did get a goal, but hopefully they come back in the next home game because we're going to need them.

“There's going to be difficult moments throughout this season like [on Saturday]. That won't be the first one. There'll be hard times. They will definitely help to pull us through.”

Dack came off at half-time on Saturday with a muscular injury, but the player says he was withdrawn as a precaution.

The Gills, playing in front of a crowd of 7,406, conceded after 15 minutes and had plenty of chances to level, but it didn’t happen.

It was the first defeat since Gareth Ainsworth had taken charge of the side.

Dack said: “It's obviously disappointing to lose a game but it was going to come at some point.

“It’s disappointing that it was at home, in front of a lot of support, who I thought was brilliant, they really pushed us on in that second half.

“It was a brilliant half, they hardly really got out of their half, we had a lot of chances, it was just one of those days where we couldn't find a net, but we go again.

“It's about how we bounce back and I know this squad's got a lot of character, so we definitely will.

“I have full confidence in the team and the club as a whole that we will bounce back and carry on doing what we do.”

The Gills head to MK Dons next Saturday and Dack said: “Winning is a habit, going unbeaten is a habit and losing can quickly become a habit as well, as we found out last year.

“We've got to be on it. I know the manager and the staff will make sure we are. I have no doubts about that.

“It's a good game to come back into. MK away, decent stadium, good team. It's a good chance to show what we're made of and what we've got.”