Mark Stimson came off second best on Tuesday night when facing his former club but was magnanimous in defeat.

Stimson (pictured) spent two and a half years at the helm of the Gills but lost his job after relegation to League 2 in May.

He took over as Barnet manager but saw his side lose 2-1 to the Gills on Tuesday through goals from loan pair Charlie Lee and Chris Whelpdale.

Afterwards he backed Gillingham to keep on improving with the squad at Andy Hessenthaler’s disposal.

He said: "Gillingham got a win and they’ve got two fantastic players on loan (Whelpdale and Lee). If they keep those players and put Curtis Weston, Andy Barcham and Simon King in the team, they will go close.

"I knew the boy Whelpdale was going to be a massive difference. I tried to sign him a few times when I was at Gillingham from Billericay but we got out-priced by Peterborough.

"He is a fantastic player and if I’m honest, he is better up-front as a striker. He is someone with a goal in his locker and a great first touch.

"Charlie Lee gives his all and he is another one I tried to sign when I was at Stevenage and I was watching him for Spurs reserves. Charlie is capable of doing that, running 30 yards and putting it into the bottom corner.

"They won’t be down there at the end of the season because they’ll possibly have the likes of Barcham, Weston and King back available and once they have those three back in the team I’m sure they will kick on and possibly do what Millwall did last year (get promotion) with all of their better players in the squad."