by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler saluted the team performance that helped guide his side to three points over Swindon on Saturday.

The Gills boss demanded his players showed their desire before the game and they delivered.

He said: "It was a good all-round team performance and everyone put a shift in. That’s what I asked for before the game and it was nice for our fans to go home and be happy.

"Congratulations to Swindon and their manager Paolo Di Canio. They got promoted and were the best side this season. It was always going to happen. I just asked my players to go, do a job and win the game.

"They did that and credit to my players. It was a bit nervy at 2-1. When you see five minutes of injury time put up on the board the memories of Manchester City (in the play-offs) come back a bit. That will never come out of my memory. I thought, ‘blimey’, and at 2-1 I was a bit fidgety but then fortunately we got the penalty."

Chris Whelpdale converted from the spot to make it 3-1 with the last kick.

"I didn’t see the penalty but I don’t watch them ever since the Wembley Manchester City game," said the Gills boss.

"That put me off after seeing us get beaten on penalties. I don’t like watching them. I was pleased for him and he was terrific."

Hessenthaler (pictured) admitted that the early stages of the match were uncomfortable as Swindon switched from their usual formation and made eight changes from their previous match.

He said: "They had quite a bit of the ball at times and it took us about 15 minutes to settle into the game.

"We expected them to play 4-4-2, with Benson up there in attack, but he decided to go 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 with Bostock behind the striker and it caused us some problems.

"We were a bit too deep but we adjusted to that, got the goal, and then went on from there."

The only downer of the match for Hessenthaler was watching Alan McCormack halve Gills' lead late on.

"They had spells in the game and we are disappointed in the goal because it is something we highlighted in the week," he said.

"McCormack loves bringing the ball out from the back. He did it in midweek against Aldershot when we watched them. It’s a bit frustrating that we gave the ball away because we defended really well for most of the game."

A win for Crewe means the Gills remain four points adrift of the play-offs with two games left.

"We did our job and we have given ourselves an opportunity for next week. There is still everything to play for," said Hessenthaler.

Do you think Gills make up the four point deficit in the remaining two games? Have your say below.