Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler admitted his side’s defending was like a circus at times as they crumbled early on against AFC Wimbledon.

Three goals in a 12 minute spell left the Gills’ hopes of getting something from their trip to Kingsmeadow in tatters.

“You can’t defend like that,” said Hessenthaler. “They are experienced players and for the first goal Matt (Lawrence) for me has to do better, just deal with it. Just head it back to the keeper.”

Lawrence was subbed in the first half and Hessenthaler re-shuffled his defence as they faced a three-goal deficit inside the first 22 minutes, with Christian Jolley scoring the opening two.

“I bet he (Jolley) thought it was his birthday when we defend like that,” said Hessenthaler.

“We switched off for the second one and the lad creeps in and he had more desire than our players to get on the end of it.

“The third one was a joke. It was a poor ball from Whelpdale to Fish, who ended up messing up his clearance, and it went straight to their player.

“It was like a circus and was not acceptable, not for these players. They are better than that.

“We can’t go to Hereford and win 6-1 and beat Burton, one of the stronger sides this season 3-1, then go out and play like we did in the first half.

“At 3-0 down anywhere in the country it is going to be hard to get back. We did well second half, but not well enough.”

The Gills did score the only goal in the second half but for Hessenthaler the damage was already done.

“It was not good enough, simple as that, for the whole 90 minutes,” said Hessenthaler.

“Never mind about the second half, we lost the game at the start. The first half hour for us was an absolute joke.”

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