A negative reaction to going a goal down proved to be Gillingham’s undoing at Burton.

That was how Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler (pictured) felt after seeing his side lose to a team whose last win in the League 2 came on Boxing Day.

“For some reason we conceded a goal and completely lost our heads,” said Hessenthaler.

“Too many players dropped their heads after the goal and it gave them the impetus. We knew they were under pressure because they needed a win and we didn’t capitalise on that.

“There was plenty of time to go after we conceded the goal but it wasn’t us second half.

“We didn’t do well enough in the second half. I felt okay at half time. It was 0-0 and I felt we could go on and improve because we weren’t fantastic in the first half. We didn’t improve.

“You have to give them a lot of credit in the second half. They got the goal and it lifted them. It knocked us for some reason.

“At times in the first half we passed the ball well after getting off to a slow start. We started moving the ball around and we got it into Jordan Obita and Jo Kuffour.

“We were gradually getting into the game. In the second half we came out and conceded a goal and we totally lost our way, confidence-wise and quality-wise. The quality was very poor in the second half.

“We just lacked desire in the second half and a bit of passion about us. Ultimately, there was a lack of quality.

“Maybe we looked nervous and a few of them looked out on their feet, whether that was mentally because we conceded a goal, I don’t know.

“I was very disappointed with that second half performance. Full credit to Burton though because they were definitely the better team in the second half.”

Picture: Andy Hessenthaler applauds the Gills fans at full-time - by Barry Goodwin