ANDY HESSENTHALER left Turf Moor on Saturday as Burnley boss Stan Ternent's choice as Manager of the Year award to sweeten a 2-0 defeat.

Praising the Gills boss, the respected Ternent said: "Everyone in the game knows what a good job Andy has done for Gillingham on limited resources. In my opinion he is the Manager of the Year for what he has achieved after spending just £50,000. He is a bright young manager with a big future in the game."

Ternent's tribute consoled Hessenthaler who saw the club's three-match unbeaten run halted by a side who had won only one of their previous nine games at home. Play-off candidates Burnley had also failed to beat Gillingham in their previous nine attempts.

"We tried hard but we had a couple of injuries which didn't help," said Hessenthaler. "But we had chances in the first half with Paul Shaw and then Iffy going close.

"Goals change games and had we scored then who knows what might have happened. I thought we defended really well in the first half when we had a lot of possession on a difficult pitch which Stan Ternent tells me is not helping Burnley.

"We wanted to come out in the second half and do the same again. But it was Burnley who scored the first goal, which was a bit scrappy, but it gave them confidence and they went on to win the game. We didn't do as well as we can but there is no way I will be criticising my players because we have done fantastically well to achieve a mid-table position on a budget of £50,000.

"Considering our budget it's been a great effort by all concerned but I have to admit that we're all ready for a summer break. There were some tired legs out there today but we'll get ourselves right for Saturday's game against Manchester City."

Though he was at fault with Burnley's first goal, Hessenthaler had only praise for 19-year-old defender Richard Rose who replaced the injured David Perpetuini after 29 minutes for his first appearance in the side this season.

"I thought that Richard applied himself very well," said the Gills boss. "He's only young and still learning. Considering he was up against a player of Glen Little's calibre he did very well."

With Perpetuini almost certain to be ruled out of Saturday's match against City with a twisted ankle, Rose could stay in the side.

Twenty-goal top scorer Marlon King, who was not risked on Saturday owing to a tight hamstring, looks certain to face City.