Mark Stimson hailed the positive impact that some of his players have shown after being recalled into his relegation-threatened squad.

The Gillingham manager has experimented with numerous formations and personnel throughout the season but looks to have now got a settled team who are up to the challenge of keeping the side in League 1.

The Gills earned a 2-2 draw against play-off chasing MK Dons at Priestfield on Saturday despite playing half the match with 10 men - just a week after holding Charlton at The Valley. Stimson’s side have lost just one of their last eight games.

Stimson (pictured) said: "Over the last three of four weeks we’ve seen this desire come in. It wasn’t there at the beginning of the season and only the players will be able to tell you why.

"There are a few players who have got back into the team and you can see they love this type of challenge."

Three of those players who Stimson believes have made a difference are Stuart Lewis, Garry Richards and scorer of Gillingham’s first goal on Saturday, Adam Miller.

Stimson said: "All three have done well of late. It’s good because we need those characters now because it’s not going to be pretty and teams aren’t going to let us play the football we want to play. The players need to roll their sleeves up and have a go."