Andy Hessenthaler admitted he was unable to be overly critical of his players after Gillingham failed to make the play-offs in their final League 2 match of the season.

The Gills boss conceded it was points lost throughout the season that eventually led to them failing in their promotion quest.

“It’s hard to be too critical,” said the Gills boss. “We certainly looked well in the game.

“We believed we needed a point before the game so we set out to be strong and solid and organised, and we did that. At half-time things were going how we planned them but in the second half we conceded.

“We gave ourselves a lifeline by coming back into the game but, unfortunately, we conceded (a second goal) at the wrong time. For all of our efforts we switched off and their full-back came down the side of us, and it’s cost us the second goal. After that it was very difficult to get back in it.

“There were no fingers pointed after the game; we have to look at us after 46 games, it’s not just that one game.

“We shouldn’t have put ourselves in that position, but we did. We believed we could go to Chesterfield and get something and, up until the 75th minute, we had something and we were there. Ultimately it wasn’t to be.

“Effort-wise the boys gave me everything. We were down after the game, especially some of the boys who were here last year.”

The Gills eventually finished eighth, missing out of the play-offs on goal difference.

“It’s not the end of the world,” admitted Hessenthaler. “Lincoln went down and I feel for Steve Tilson. It’s a tough day for him. It could be a lot worse.

“It’s not an easy league to get out of and Chesterfield have showed everyone why they are rightly the champions. They have a good manager and a good set of players, and I wish them the best next season.

“The players will have seen that and they will want a bit of it. It’s been hard for them because they have heard all the celebrations and they have to try and achieve that next year.

“We are down, but it’s not life and death. It’s a game of football, and we want to be successful, but it’s not through the lack of trying and it won’t be through the lack of trying next season.

“The players gave me everything, but they know they have fallen short over 46 games.”