Peter Taylor was happy to have accomplished his number one objective at Gillingham.

His side may have lost 3-1 at Preston but the pleasing thing for Taylor was that the Gills are no longer in danger of being relegated.

“I am delighted that we have stayed up,” said the manager.

“I don’t ever like losing anything and I don’t like losing a football match, that is a certainty.

“But I take into account the very strong opposition who are playing very confidently. I thought some of the things in our performance were good and others not good.

“We gave two very cheap goals away in the second half and that’s what we’ve done during the season and why we are in the position we are in.”

Preston took a seventh minute lead and dictated the early play on home soil.

Taylor said: “They were very good on the ball, a good team and (their manager) Simon Grayson has built a good side. They are playing confidently.

“We had 15 minute spells and when our players played confidently they look different players.

“Fifteen minutes before half-time we showed some excellent things and we could have scored some goals. There were some really bad goals conceded in the second half but I am just pleased with the overall outcome.”

Gillingham picked up some knocks in the game but none are looking serious.

Taylor said: “Bayo got a deadleg on his knee and should be okay for next week. Whelpdale hurt his other ankle but was looking tired anyway. He hadn’t player much football and so we thought we would make the change (by bring on Myles Weston).”