Barry Fuller believes a new one-year deal at Gillingham may have answered a few of the doubters.

He is closing in on a 40th appearance for the Gills this season, having rejoined the squad in the summer to add competition and experience.

Fuller, who was released by struggling AFC Wimbledon last season, has been one of the stand-out players for the Gills.

He said: “I have surprised a few people coming back to the club. I think there were a few question marks when I first arrived and I think I have even surprised the staff at the club.

“They wanted some experience but I knew I would be fighting for my place. I knew that when I walked over that white line I would give 110% for the shirt and the team.

“I was disappointed to have left the club (AFC Wimbledon) where I was for five years, where he (Dons’ former manager Neal Ardley) wanted to freshen things up and go with a younger squad . I still have belief in myself that I can do a job for the team.

“I know I am fit and healthy and my performances aren’t slowing down even though I am 34. I am not surprised in myself, I knew I had it in me. I was fit and could compete, and if given my shirt I would work my hardest to keep it.”

Fuller started Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Peterborough and added: “There were patches where we dominated the game and we found it difficult to break them down.

“We didn’t create too many chances, but neither did they.

“The only thing that was going to change the game was something like a penalty, they got it and they kicked on from that.

“It was a soft one but the referee was behind him and said that one of our players pulled him (Dembele) back and he has given it. That was the game changer.”

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Peterborough are going for promotion via the play-offs.

“You could tell it was a bit tense,” said Fuller.

“They needed to win and we wanted to get the victory as well. Both teams were really solid and there weren’t too many chances in the game for either side. That (penalty) happened and we tried to kick on but the second goal gave them a cushion.

“There have been games this season where we probably haven’t created so much and we’ve scored.”

The Gills are now five points clear of the drop zone with five games to play.

Fuller said: “We know that if we do our job we haven’t got to worry too much.

“One win and we know that we secure League 1 football.

“We won’t get nervous about it, we have a lot of character about us and hopefully we can do that at Priestfield next week.

“We have a lot of belief in the dressing room and the boys were disappointed we lost but we know that on our day we can match anyone. We showed there wasn’t a lot between us.

“They are in the play-offs and a couple of chances they took and we didn’t take ours. It’s those fine margins in football, but we are confident and hopefully we can do a job on Saturday.”