Gillingham defender Josh Gowling insists Tuesday night’s set-back against Chesterfield won’t derail their promotion charge.

The Gills lost 2-0 at home to the League 2 leaders – only their second defeat in their last 10 outing.

"We have lost and it’s disappointing but it’s not going to knock our confidence," said the 27-year-old.

"We have been on a good run and we played well in patches on Tuesday against a team top of the league. Going into the Aldershot game we will be full of confidence and we’ll go for it."

Gowling has been on top form in recent weeks as the Gills have climbed their way into the promotion race and he believes a loan move to Lincoln in November was just what he needed.

He said: "I was in and out of the team and maybe my performances weren’t as good as I would like them to be and so for me it was good just to go somewhere fresh and get my mind right.

"I never had any intentions of going there and staying or going anywhere else. My sole intention was to go there, play some games, get some confidence and do well for my team. Hopefully that’s what I’m doing.

"I am a bit more confident now. I think this league takes a bit of getting used to and the loan spell did me some good to go and play some regular football and to be somewhere that is a bit different, just to get in the right frame of mind and then come back and kick-start my career again."

Josh Gowling wins the ball in the air against Chesterfield Picture: Barry Goodwin