Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler used Monday night’s friendly at Ebbsfleet to give strikers Dennis Oli and Stefan Payne valuable extra minutes on the pitch.

The pair are both overcoming niggling injuries and both came through the match against Liam Daish’s Blue Square Bet Premier side unscathed.

Oli has been suffering with a back injury and he started the match and played for an hour. Payne, who has been missing with a groin problem, came on at the break and played the whole of the second half.

Hessenthaler also had another look at Southend’s Matthew Paterson. It was the striker’s second and last showing for the Gills, having appeared briefly against Peterborough on Saturday, as he failed to do enough to impress.

It means Hessenthaler remains in the hunt for at least one more striker before the season begins on Saturday but he will have been releaved to see both Oli and Payne in action again. At present they are his only options in attack alongside Danny Kedwell.

Gillingham were facing an injury-ravaged Fleet side, who included trialists John Herd and Nytram Dixon-Baker in their defence.

Hessenthaler filled his side with young players, with the exception of Simon King who was back playing after missing out at the weekend through illness.

The game was settled in the 66th minute with a goal from Liam Enver-Marum, who spent time on trial with the Gills last season.

*Hessenthaler takes a youth team to Bly Spartans on Tuesday night, where he is due to make an appearance along with first team coach Nicky Southall.

Who do you think Hessenthaler could bring in to improve his attack? Comment below.

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