Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler praised the attitude of his squad after they toppled early pacesetters Shrewsbury on Saturday.

The Gills picked up their first win of the season in League 2 thanks to Chris Palmer's brace but it was their ability to play at a high tempo that thrilled the manager.

"We deserved to win the game," said Hessenthaler. "We put in a performance of real passion and desire and made it difficult for them.

"We always knew in the dressing room that it wouldnt be long until things started happening for us.

"We've been waiting six games for our first win in the league and it's come against the team that got off to the best start in the first five games.

"It was a good performance, it was coming and now we have to make sure we continue that next week."

Hessenthaler gave credit to Shrewsbury who didn't sit back and try to defend at Priestfield, although he admitted that it did help Gillingham's cause.

"The first two home games the teams made it difficult and dropped off point to get a point or try and catch us on the counter attack," he said.

"You have to give Shrewsbury some credit as they came to win the game as well. The game became more open, we played with that drive and get the ball forward to our strikers."

Striker Cody McDonald made his home debut and Hessenthaler warned the home fans that there is more to come.

"Cody made his home start and was a real handful," he said. "The fans haven't seem much of Cody yet but there's more to come from him, he is a little bit rusty still."

What do you make of Hessenthaler's assessment of today's game? Leave your comments below.