Gillingham’s first defeat of the season was a tough one for the players to take - and the boss was glad it hurt.

Gareth Ainsworth’s men had more than twice as many shots as Harrogate and more of the ball but they couldn’t make it count as they went down to a 1-0 defeat.

Report: Gillingham 0 Harrogate 1

It was Ainsworth’s first league loss as manager of the club and ended a club record-breaking run of 21 games.

“Everything was there that I wanted to see, except the goals,” said the Gills boss, whose side were trailing to Stephen Duke-McKenna’s 15th minute strike.

“We gave Harrogate something to defend. We gave them something to hold on to and they defended really stoutly, really well. You've got to give credit to them.

“My players gave me everything. It was just a lack of a goal. We had a couple of corners that flashed by the far post. We had one cleared off the line. We had a couple of shots, but they all got blocked and we've let an easy-ish goal in.

“Duke-McKenna’s a good player, I had him at QPR. We spoke about him before the game. But, I'll have my boys any day. It's taken six months for this interview [after a loss] to happen, and that's pretty good as a manager, half a year.”

The Gills are 10 games into the current league season, with defeat leaving them third in the table.

“The lads are absolutely devastated,” said the manager. “Like it's the worst thing in the world. Which is great, because I want them to be down.

“But I want them to get back and happy quick. And be positive.

“I thought second half, we dominated. Absolutely dominated. I thought it was just a matter of time and I was remembering Accrington, Tranmere and Oldham. I'm remembering those games [coming back from behind] and thinking ‘This is going to happen again’.

“We had a couple of corners at the end and the last one where the keeper’s come to claim. That's what he’s paid for. Well done.

“We did give Harrogate something to hold on to. They sat back. They defended deep.”

The Gills had their biggest crowd of the season at Priestfield, with 7,406 inside and all but 85 from Harrogate cheering them on.

Many had purchased £5 tickets for the Rainham End and others keen to see a side who had just broke a record of 21 unbeaten.

Ainsworth said: “It’s Just unfortunate we didn't get the roof coming off the Rainham End.

“Harrogate are always a dangerous side. They've beat some big teams. They've got some good players. Simon Weaver [the manager] has organised them well.

“We've got to take our hat off to them and say, ‘Well done’. They came and did the job. We've done it to other teams this season.

“We'll have to go again next week at MK Dons. We'll prepare right and we'll get ready for that one.”