By Matthew Panting

Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler admitted his team used a get out of jail free card against Northampton on Saturday.

The Gills edged a seven-goal thriller at Priestfield thanks to Danny Kedwell’s stoppage-time spot-kick in front of the Rainham End (pictured).

It spared Gillingham’s blushes after they led 2-0 and 3-1 following Jo Kuffour’s first-half hat-trick, only to concede two goals in six second-half minutes.

"I always thought we would get another goal, deep down I thought we would, and in the end we got it late," said Hessenthaler.

"We had the presence up front with Kuffour, Nouble and Kedwell. Frank Nouble was a handful most of the afternoon but Kuffour was our man-of-the-match by a country mile.

"We used our get out of jail free card, that’s our one for the season perhaps. It evens itself out over a season, we went to Southend and should have won but we didn’t."

Hessenthaler praised hat-trick hero Kuffour, particularly his stunning backheel that helped the Gills build up an impressive first-half lead.

"It was a terrific hat-trick and he was fantastic for us," added Hessenthaler. "He is too good for League 2, he’s a top striker."

As for match-winner Kedwell, it was his sixth goal of the campaign – all at Priestfield – and his fourth penalty to date.

"You have to give Danny Kedwell a lot of credit to step up in the dying seconds under pressure as 3-3 wasn’t good enough for us," said Hessenthaler. "He put it in and that shows you his character. For me, his workrate was terrific."

Did you think Gillingham were going to score again when it was 3-3? Have your say below.