Martin Allen admitted his players’ poor first half performance proved costly on Saturday.

Allen’s side were 1-0 down at the break and faced a second half with only 10 men after Danny Jackman’s dismissal.

Despite a better showing in the second 45 minutes the Gills were unable to stop their unbeaten run coming to an end.

“I thought we had a go second half and did our best to get back into it,” said Allen.

“It wasn’t really a very good first half performance but I have to say, after all the games we’ve had so far, the players have been absolutely spot on with the commitment and the energy and the desire but, in the first 45 minutes, that high quality and quick tempo we play slipped.

“Let’s not take anything away from the opposition, they did very well, I thought our players adapted really well to play with 10 men.

“We weren’t quite on our game and that was before the (Jackman) tackle that was given as a red. We weren’t quite on it as we have been with the tenacity, the pace and the spirit. It was a little below where we had been and that’s something we will have to look at.”

It was the first time in the league that the Gills have gone into the break losing but there was no ranting and raving from the Gills boss.

“It was very calm,” he said. “There is no point shouting at them. People don’t like being shouted at in life and I don’t think that helps anyone.

“We talked it through and made a couple of substitutions to freshen it up. Danny Kedwell is the top scorer and Charlie Allen has the most assists so it was a no-brainer to put those two on."

The changes did make a difference but with 10 men in the second half it was an uphill battle.

“We were absolutely terrific in the second half,” said Allen.

“There was no sulking and no moaning. The real test of your players is not when you are winning 3-0 and it’s all going great, the real test of your players and your supporters, and myself, is when it isn’t going so well.

“It’s in adversity when you see where your players are. In the second half they really lifted the ground and the supporters got behind the players because they saw the effort. We made some fantastic moves.

“We were unlucky with a few bits. Yes they had counter attacks where they could have gone further ahead but I believe that when you’re losing I just say ‘let’s go for it’ and play one or two at the back and keep pressing. That’s what I like to do.

"We went all out to get the point. Everybody played their part. I was disappointed but not heartbroken."