by Andrew Gidley

Manager Mark Stimson believes his Gillingham side need to show the same level of determination and commitment as they did against Charlton on Saturday for the rest of the season.

The Gills came from behind to lead at The Valley before being forced to settle for a point.

Stimson expressed surprise after the game when he was told the 2-2 draw means it is just one defeat in their last seven games, but admitted: "It’s a good run, probably not enough wins, and too many draws, but it’s nice to get a little run going.

"We are getting towards the business end of the season, and we have to start picking up points now, as we aim to get enough to keep us in this fantastic division.

"We came without probably our best three players – Simon King, Barry Fuller and Simeon Jackson – so to perform the way we did and get a point gives me a lot of confidence.

"But it (staying up) will only be done if the boys are prepared to work as hard as they did here."

Nobody epitomised that work ethic more than Dennis Oli (pictured) who scored one, made the other, and might have got a second when he was denied by Charlton’s substitute goalkeeper Darren Randolph.

With the injured Simeon Jackson on the bench and Chris Dickson missing due to the terms of his loan move between the clubs, Oli thoroughly deserved his goal just before half-time, and the reception he received from the fans when replaced by Mark Bentley just before the end.

Stimson said: "That’s what I want to see as a manager, players giving their all, and coming off to a standing ovation, with the job well done.

"It was nice for Dennis to get on the scoresheet because he has certainly put some work in over the last couple of weeks, without getting time on the pitch.

"He took his opportunity and played well, but he ran out of legs at the end. It was a real poacher’s goal, following in and scoring."

Stimson added: "It was a pleasant surprise to go in 2-1 up at half-time away from home, and we talked about maintaining how we had played.

"We certainly didn’t want to sit back and defend. You are never happy with only a point, but we’ll take this one against a side who are going for promotion."