Mark Stimson celebrates two years as Gillingham manager this weekend and he’ll be hoping to enjoy a first away win of the season on Friday.

The Gills travel to a troubled Southend side, still reeling from a huge unpaid tax bill that could send them into administration and a 10-point penalty.

Gillingham haven’t won on the road so far this season but, after Saturday’s stirring performance against promotion-chasing Charlton, Stimson is confident of bringing home maximum points.

"Whatever happens it’s going to be tough," said Stimson, who took over at Priestfield on November 1, 2007.

"We’re reading and hearing all different things coming out of Southend.

"It can work against you sometimes when you are playing a team who might be put into administration and seem to be up against it. A lot of teams then get together and fight that little bit more.

"Southend’s form at home over the last few years has been decent. I spent some time there myself as a player and they try and play the right way.

"We have to take our performance from Saturday into that game. If we show that same character and determination, we’ve got a good chance of our first away win.

Stimson’s reign at Gills has seen him experience relegation and promotion and he believes the squad assembled now is good enough to go places.

He said: "We’re slowly building something. It’s taken a bit longer than I would have liked it to.

"The first season was disappointing but last year made up for that. You can’t beat winning at Wembley.

"Two years (at the same club) is a long while in management. With the changes already happening this year, it seems to be fashionable if a team loses a few games to get rid of the manager.

"It’s been an up and down two years but I’m enjoying every minute of it."