by Luke Cawdell

The decision to play Charlie Allen on Saturday was a gamble, admitted Gillingham boss Martin Allen.

But it was a risk that paid off as Allen, pictured, helped Gillingham dominate at Morecambe in the second half.

It was his first game back after breaking his hand and came just two days after a specialist gave the midfielder the all-clear to return to training.

Boss Martin Allen said: “He trained on Friday for the first time and sometimes as a manager I have to just go with my gut feeling.

“He shouldn’t have being playing to be honest because he hadn’t done anything really for six weeks. He had one training session, which was a five-a-side.”

Allen hadn’t appeared since breaking a bone in the top of his right hand at York on February 12.

He missed the next six matches as the healing process took longer than expected but Allen, who was a keen runner as a youngster, has kept in top condition as was proved during a sprint around Gillingham in the week.

“He broke the record for the four-mile run on Wednesday,” the Gills boss added.

“He has worked so hard and he is the fittest and fastest player in our club. It was a heavy pitch (at Morecambe) but in the second half he showed his power and running ability.”