Andy Hessenthaler was unhappy with Gillingham's first half display Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler admitted the Gillingham players received a half-time rocket at Priestfield on Saturday.

The Gills were leading Accrington Stanley 2-1 at the break, courtesy of a double from Andy Barcham, but they were fortunate to be in a commanding position.

Hessenthaler described their first 45 minutes as unacceptable and that was made clear to the players in no uncertain terms.

He said: There were a few home truths told at half-time, nothing personal. Ian Hendon (assistant manager) got in there before I did. I was just trying to calm myself down.

“Sometimes it’s good to have a bit of tear up.”

Hessenthaler admitted that after Hendon’s grilling his anger had subsided slightly.

“Ian is very much like me, a passionate guy, and so sometimes it’s nice for it to come from him and for me to be the calming influence,” he said.

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And the Gillingham players responded well with Cody McDonald’s 56th minute goal making it 3-1. That put an end to Accrington’s fight.

“It’s about getting three points and it doesn’t matter how you get them at this stage, the business end,” said the Gills boss.

“We have got to win games and sometimes you have to win ugly. We weren’t good enough first half, nowhere near it, and were very fortunate to go in 2-1 at half-time.

“I thought in the second half we were much better. We were comfortable in the end and I was pleased with the second half performance."

Barcham had given the Gills a second minute lead but Accrington were awarded an eighth minute penalty after a foul from Kevin Maher.

“I’ve no problems with it, the referee made the right decision,” Hessenthaler said. “In the box you have to be a bit careful when you go for that type of challenge. Players will go down.”

Phil Edwards missed the subsequent spot-kick but a mistake at the back minutes later from John Nutter let them in for an equaliser.

“John has held his hands up and he has to deal with it; he knows that,” said Hessenthaler.

“He has to clear it. He has made a mess of it and the fella (Sean McConville) took his time and tapped it away.

“We are certainly not happy with the goal, it was poor but it happens in football.”

Nutter eventually limped out of action with a thigh injury.

Despite the woes, the Gills did take the win and that was all that really mattered on a day when the other teams in the top seven failed to take maximum points.

“We’re 11 unbeaten with two losses in 21. There will be a lot of teams who would like to have that record,” said the Gills boss.

Did you see a noticeable improvement in the Gills in the second half? Leave you comments below