Gillingham head coach Ady Pennock is hoping Saturday’s point against Millwall turns out to be a crucial one.

The Gills dropped back to 20th after the home draw and sit just one point off the drop zone in League 1.

Pennock said: “This could be a really big one, hopefully it is. It could be massive. We showed a lot of character, every single one of them. I was pleased. Everyone went home reasonably happy.

“Yes we wanted three points but against a good side, we are reasonably happy with the
point.

“The players put a great shift in. It was a hot day, a high tempo to the game but I am proud of the players.”

A draw at least stops the rot – ending a run of four straight defeats – a run which has left the Gills in a relegation battle.

There is a six-team scrap to avoid two relegation places, with both Chesterfield and Coventry seemingly destined to be playing League 2 football next season and Pennock is desperate to ensure the Gills don’t joint them.

It was a pressure game for the Gills on Saturday but four more follow, starting with the visit of Bristol Rovers on Friday.

The Gills have had no problems raising their game for the ‘big matches’ but have dropped points against those around them.

Pennock said: “If I knew why, we would be top. We have had some big gates (at home), like
Scunthorpe.

We get up for those occasions and they (the players) should be up for every game, whether there are 100 people or 20,000 but that is something we are dealing with.”