GILLINGHAM manager Andy Hessenthaler is hoping that history repeats itself. The last time his side were on the wrong end of 4-1 hiding they went eight matches undefeated. After seeing off Portsmouth 2-0 on Boxing Day, Hessenthaler is hoping for another purple patch.

After the game hesaid: "On the back of a 4-1 defeat we were very pleased. The last time we were beaten 4-1 by Manchester City we went on an eight-game unbeaten run so I hope that’s the beginning of the next eight hopefully. It’s three points and a clean sheet so you have to be pleased with that.

"It was difficult against Portsmouth because of the pitch. It was a bit tricky at times. If you ask the players they’ll say it was a little bit hard in places. In the second half we played well and I thought we were very professional.

Being 2-0 up at half time is a difficult score because you can come out and give a goal away and they’re back in the game but if we’d got the third goal the game’s over. It wasn’t easy and it wasn’t a classic but it was a good professional performance.

Off the back of a 4-1 defeat we’ve shown we can bounce back and that gives us a lot of confidence and hopefully we can get a result at home against West Brom on Saturday."

King started with Paul Shaw and Bob Taylor and with Iffy Onuora suspended Hessenthaler has an embarrassment of riches in the forward department. But with Onuora back in contention on Saturday Hessenthaler will have an important decision to make.

Goals by Marlon King and Paul Shaw settled the match against Portsmouth.