ANDY HESSENTHALER has told his midfield protege Danny Spiller to match Sheffield United star Michael Brown if he is to fulfil his potential and reach the top.

The Gills boss acclaimed the 21-year-old's skilled and gutsy contribution to Saturday's goalless draw with the Blades on the opening day of the league season at Bramall Lane and urged him to take a long hard look at the £3million rated Brown.

“I believe that Sheffield United have in Michael Brown and Michael Tonge two of the best midfielders in this division,” said Hessenthaler.

“I told Danny that Brown was his benchmark and to go and battle it out with him. In fact he matched him so I was well pleased with him.”

Spiller, 21, played a starring role alongside Mark Saunders in a new-look Gillingham midfield that had to stand its ground at times as Brown and especially Tonge threatened to win the duel in the sun and Paul Shaw was constantly shadowed by Mark Rankine.

The youngster is contracted to Gillingham until 2005 and after breaking into the side towards the end of last season looks set to stay.

The Gills boss was also full of praise for the team's new-look formation as skipper Chris Hope, Barry Ashby and league debutant Ian Cox came together at the back in a new 3-5-2 formation.

“The big plus for me was the formation,” he said. “We've thought long and hard about switching from a flat back four and I was especially pleased with the way it went today.

“Having said that it's horses for courses and we'll change formation when we have to. It's important that we're flexible in the way we play.

“But these are very early days and it would be silly to get carried away about anything. But I'm pleased with the draw because I would have settled for it before the game."

United manager Neil Warnock admitted: “It's always difficult against Gillingham no matter whether its sunny or freezing They limited us to a handful of chances but had we taken one it might have been different because it's all about scoring against Gillingham.”

Hope spoke of his pride at captaining Gillingham in his home city but confessed it was tinged with regret as his father had missed his big day.

Hope, who was handed the captaincy on Friday, had wanted his father John, a former Sheffield United goalkeeper, to be at the game. But he was forced to miss the match because of work.

“I would have loved it had he been there but he couldn't take the time off work,” said Hope.

“Apart from that, it was superb. Obviously every time I come back to Sheffield there are fond memories because I was born here.

“I was delighted with the way things went because we've come away with a point and a clean sheet against one of the teams tipped to do well. Everyone is well satisfied.

“I accept that the captaincy has been handed to me until such time as Paul Smith is fit. But I enjoy it and find it challenging.

“I was captain of Scunthorpe for three seasons so I've got plenty of experience in the job.”

Mamady Sidibe is Gillingham's only doubt for Tuesday's Carling Cup first round tie at Cambridge. The striker is doubtful with an ankle injury sustained against Sheffield.

The tie will be decided on the night and there will be extra time and penalties should they be needed. The tie kicks off at 7.45pm.