Dean Rance, left, closes down Dover’s ex-Gills midfielder Barry Cogan on Saturday

Dean Rance made his debut for Bishop’s Stortford on Saturday after joining them on a one-month loan.

The combative Gillingham midfielder started for his new club in the 2-0 defeat at Dover.

Rance, a first year professional with the Gills, has yet to feature for the senior side, with a broken foot in the summer not helping his hopes.

Boss Andy Hessenthaler believes the month with the Blue Square Bet South side will be valuable for the 19-year-old.

"The injury was really unfair on the kid and he is only just coming back to full fitness," said Hessenthaler.

"It will be beneficial to him to get a few games because he is way behind everyone else due to the amount of time he missed in pre-season."

Rance captained the reserves last week against Leyton Orient and he was also part of the Gills squad that went to Cheltenham last week.

"The armband was a pat on the back for him and it gave him loads of confidence," added Hessenthaler.