There were mixed emotions for Gills boss Justin Edinburgh after Saturday’s defeat to Shrewsbury.

His team dominated for much of the game, putting in a decent showing, but came off beaten with their play-off hopes hanging by a thread.

Edinburgh said: “It is probably the best we have played for 10 games or so. Unfortunately we didn’t do what we knew we had to do.

“We are devastated and it (the chance of making the play-offs) has been taken out of our own hands now, but in terms of effort and endeavour the players have given me everything they have got.

Unfortunately we have been hit hard with goals we have conceded. I think our naivety was what cost us. It wasn’t effort.

“We ran harder and pushed Shrewsbury back and limited them to very little. We had endless crosses and chances and we know the man-of-the-match is their goalkeeper.

“But, it hasn’t given us the victory we wanted and needed, that is the bottom line."

Defeat extended Gills' winless run to six games and leaves them seventh in the League 1 table.

"We have had three consecutive defeats here, people are hurting, nobody more than myself and the players, but we have to take the responsibility for that.

“We were back to our best and how we were playing when we were winning time and time again, here and away.

“We are where we are, that’s our position and where we deserve to be at the present time.”

The Gills cancelled out Shrewsbury’s opener just on half-time and levelled it up again in the second half. But it was the visitors who found a winner.

Edinburgh said: “It sounds bizarre, but I leave pleased, knowing that the players have performed.

“They gave their best and at times were running all over Shrewsbury, but they’ve lost the game. Not through anything other than a bit of naivety.

“For their third goal, we had an eight versus four situation but we were so desperate to win the ball back, at times we overloaded and there were four of our players on one.

“That is nothing other than nous and knowhow, rather then effort and determination, which is what this group of players gives for this club.”