Andy Hessenthaler cancelled the players' day off on Sunday after the debacle at Accrington, above. Picture: Barry Goodwin

By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham players were summoned to Priestfield on Sunday by boss Andy Hessenthaler to explain Saturday’s debacle in Accrington.

The players’ day off was scrapped as Hessenthaler brought them in for a club meeting following the 7-4 loss, which left them sitting 18th in League 2.

Hessenthaler wanted to know how a team that conceded just one goal in the previous four could turn in a horror-show performance.

Hessenthaler said: "Up until (Saturday) we had four games where we’ve just conceded one goal and to then concede seven in one game is crazy. As a manager and a coach you ask what’s going on? What have we got to do?

"We defended well in the last few games and at Accrington we’re all over the place. It’s the same back five and we can’t believe what has gone on. I’m devastated and I can’t believe it.

"I don’t want to bring players in because it’s their day off but we need to get this sorted out very quickly.

"We’ve got to sort it out because it’s not acceptable and people travel a long way to see us perform."