Manager Andy Hessenthaler has urged his players to watch their step in a bid to stop Gillingham’s disciplinary problems derailing their season.

The Gills boss, pictured, met his team on Monday ahead of Saturday's League 2 trip to Cheltenham, where he will be missing four players through suspension.

Senior pros Danny Spiller, Charlie Lee, Lewis Montrose and Joe Martin will all miss the difficult trip and those absences, on top of a catalogue of injuries, are making life difficult for the Gills as they strive to make the League 2 play-offs.

Hessenthaler is sympathetic, as referees are taking a hard line on any mis-timed challenges, but he knows they need to play ball.

"The referees have got to play a big part in this and show a bit of common sense," he said. "But the players have been told.

"I am sure the fans will say, ‘well, they play like the manager used to play’. I haven’t got a problem with that. Players don’t go out there to get booked, they go out to try and win a game.

"We have spoken to them. They have to think about the game more.

"There is lots to think about with the decision-making. You only have to get that wrong and you can be in trouble."