By Luke Cawdell

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler welcomed experienced duo Matt Lawrence and Andy Frampton into pre-season action last weekend and believes their input will be crucial.

The pair, with close to 1,000 appearances between them, were given their first outing of the summer in the 5-2 win at Dartford on Friday.

The game saw 31-year-old Frampton, pictured, make his first appearance in a Gills shirt after four years at Millwall.

Hessenthaler said: "I have not worked with Frampton before but since he has been here he has been an absolute top drawer professional.

"He is a proper winner and a proper talker, and I think that’s what we lacked last year a bit.

"Matt Lawrence did great last year and probably would have won (player-of-the-year) had it not been for Cody McDonald’s goals.

"Their experience is vital to us because we (the management) pick a team and do our work during the week (but) once they cross that white line you need leaders.

"They won’t take any nonsense, those two, and straight away the dressing room seems to be well organised, well disciplined and we are ready to go."

Did you watch Gillingham's pre-season win over Dartford? If so, how did you rate Frampton and Lawrence? Have your say below.