by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham boss Martin Allen refused to single out any of his players for blame after Saturday's FA Cup defeat, insisting his men win or lose as a team.

He was responding to post-match questions at Deepdale as the Gills lost 2-0 to Preston.

For the first goal Callum Davies was unable to clear his lines and then, at 2-0 down, Deon Burton hit the post with a penalty.

But Allen, pictured, said: "Callum is only 19 and in no way, shape or form will I or anyone involved with us criticise him.

"With Tom Flanagan injured, Callum has had to step up and play regularly and last week he had three games in a week and that’s tough for a 19-year-old."

On Burton’s miss, Allen said: "He played well and nobody will criticise him for taking the penalty. He had the guts to take the penalty.

"It’s our team that wins, it’s our team that loses. You stand together when those things happen."