ANDY HESSENTHALER defiantly insisted that Gillingham can rise from the doldrums of 20th in the Nationwide League, Division 1 and top last season's final placing of 13th. As the Gills boss felt the heat from fans for the first time in his fledgling managerial career during Saturday's 3-1 defeat by Wimbledon, he remained resolute in the belief that he can achieve his pre-season goal of a top half finish.

"There are 34 games to go and my ambition is to see us finish higher than last season," he said. "We've had a lot of highs during the last two seasons, now we're experiencing a low. All clubs experience the same and I know we have the character to bounce back and turn the corner."

Hessenthaler came under fire from fans who chanted: "You don't know what you're doing" following his 67th minute substitution of the injured Guy Ipoua with Robert Taylor.

Ipoua had sustained a groin strain minutes earlier and, as if to prove to supporters that he was injured, he exaggerated his limp to the bench.

But there was no doubting that the Gills boss, his assistant Richard Hill and coach Wayne Jones had been taken aback by the reaction of supporters who were massed directly opposite the Gillingham dug-out.

"I can assure our supporters that Guy was injured but I'm hoping he'll be fit for Tuesday's match at Birmingham," Hessenthaler added. "I can only assume that our supporters believed I was taking him off for reasons of form, which was not the case."

Hessenthaler conceded that Gillingham's defending, once the envy of so many clubs, was becoming a cause for concern. "We were the better side in the first half and then we conceded three sloppy goals. We keep shooting ourselves in the foot and it's got to stop.

"We have also got to be better at the other end and take the chances that come our way. We could have wrapped up the game against Wimbledon before they had their first shot on target."

The dismissal of Roland Edge on the hour for the second time this season following a second caution on Saturday drew sympathy from both managers. Wimbledon's Terry Burton said: "It wasn't malicious. It was just that our lad, McAnuff, was a bit too quick. I thought that Edge made a genuine attempt to get the ball."

Hessenthaler added: "I was unhappy with Roland's first caution because a Wimbledon player committed a far worse challenge in the opening minutes when referees tend not to caution. Roland's first caution came in the 34th minute when referees are more likely to reach for a yellow card compared to the opening stages. All we managers ask for is consistency."

Birmingham have slashed admission charges to £5 a head for all supporters attending tomorrow's match with Gillingham at St Andrews. Admission will be pay on the night.