by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler was delighted to see his side fight against adversity to claim a win over Aldershot.

Hessenthaler (pictured) branded Joe Martin’s second half dismissal a “joke” but was thrilled to see his side hold on to take the points on Monday and climb back up to sixth in League 2.

He said: “It was a fantastic win for us under the circumstances. We had to bounce back (from the Dagenham defeat) and we had to play with 10 men for half an hour.

“We showed that siege mentality here, where we are 1-0 up and are not going to get beat or concede. It was a tremendous effort from the boys.”

In the first half the Gills struggled to impose their game on Aldershot.

“We didn’t really hurt them enough,” he said. “They frustrated us and they dropped in really deep so we couldn’t get down the sides of them.

“It was all in front of them really and it got a bit frustrating for the boys.”

A tactical switch at the break brought joy to the Gills in the opening minute of the first half.

“We made an adjustment to go to a four-man midfield with a bit of width as Danny Jackman went out on the left and Chris Whelpdale on the right. Curtis (Weston) played a bit higher up alongside Danny Kedwell.

“We made a great start to the second half and it pretty much worked straight away. I thought in that spell we looked bright and we could have got another.”

Jackman took his personal goal tally to four with the winning goal.

“It was a good strike,” said the Gills boss. “Lewis Montrose, who had made a great run, laid the ball off to Curtis. He moved the ball around and then it goes to Jackman.

“He showed fantastic feet, worked the opening well and finished with a fantastic strike. I am pleased for him.”

But the Gills were forced to battle with 10 players after Martin picked up a second yellow card. His first had come so early, Hessenthaler admitted he missed it.

“I didn’t realise he had (already) been booked,” said Hessenthaler.

“Nicky Southall (first team coach) said he was off because he had already been booked in the first 50 seconds. I have to say that’s a joke. Fifty seconds? Give him a chance to get into the game.

“Give him a warning and next time you are in the book.”

The Gills in the end hung on to claim the win.