Gillingham in an aerial challenge at Torquay Picture: Barry Goodwin

By Luke Cawdell

Martin Allen is hoping Tuesday’s defeat at Torquay will be the making of his team.

The Gills suffered only their second loss of the season, going down 2-1, and saw their gap at the top of League 2 reduced to two points.

But boss Allen is banking on his team coming out fighting when they visit AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

He said: "Those are the nights which are going to make our players. You have to take a few hits but the key to it is, you might take that hit but you don’t go down.

"You might have a little wobble but you come back fighting. You jab back and come again. We have been shaken but we are still up there fighting and we will be back ready for Saturday."

A physical battle at Torquay saw tempers flare at times but Allen knows a soft approach won’t win them anything this season.

He said: "Every game we play is going to be a physical encounter. We are not top of the league through luck. Wherever we play, we have to earn the right to play."

"I thought they stood up to the challenge. They battled, they competed and had a real go. They ran themselves into the ground, as they do every week."

Can Gillingham respond with a win against AFC Wimbledon? Have your say below.