Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler was left shocked at his side's defensive debacle in Accrington.

After conceding just once in the previous four matches Hessenthaler was left dumfounded by the "crazy" display.

It was the second time his side had scored four goals this season away from home and lost.

"I'm devastated and I can't believe it," he said. "To concede seven in one game is crazy. As a manager and a coach you ask what's going on? What have we got to do? We defend well in the last few games and we go to Accrington and we're all over the place. It's the same back five.

"We haven't said too much after the game (to the players) because we're too devastated. We can't believe what has gone on."

There was a sizeable following of Gillingham supporters in a crowd of 1,933 and the wait for an away win continues. It's been 28 league games now over an 18-month period.

"I apologise to the fans because they've come a long way up here and it's been a poor performance."

Hessenthaler felt aggrieved at a number of decisions made by referee Iain Williamson.

Accrington were awarded two penalties, Mark Bentley was sent off and for one of the goals the Gills boss thought it was off-side.

"You can't just harp on about the ref," said Hessenthaler. "He had a poor game but so did my players."

The Gills are now sitting 18th in the League 2 table after 10 games.