Peter Taylor got the response he was looking for on Saturday.

A week after slumping to a disappointing defeat at Colchester, his men came out fighting.

The Gills boss saw his side play with energy and passion as they saw off League 1 rivals Swindon.

“It was a very good response,” said Taylor.

“We didn’t look a team good enough last Saturday but this week we looked a team in every way and the players deserve so much credit.

“They worked so hard for each other and if someone was in trouble their team-mate went to help them out. For us, it is a great performance and a great win and a very important win against a very good team.

“I couldn’t be happier. As long as people play and run around enough with desire, then as a manager you are happy, even if you don’t win the game. We did that and they got a result as well.

“The energy levels looked a lot more impressive than I would have thought two or three months ago. I am very pleased with that.”

Michael Harriman scored Gillingham’s crucial second goal, to take the pressure off, after Leon Legge had opened the scoring.

Taylor said: “It was a good goal from Leon Legge, from a set-piece which was nice. Michael Harriman, who started off his career as a midfield player, was all over the place and his energy was infectious.

“I had a little go at him for never scoring a goal and he certainly proved me wrong in that respect. I am delighted for him.”

Taylor’s men kept it up for the full 90 minutes, claiming a fourth clean sheet of the season.

Substitutes Bradley Dack and Craig Fagan, who were both dropped from last weekend, came on and helped the Gills complete the win.

“It is never easy (making substitutions) and you don’t want anyone in the ground thinking it’s a negative one,” said Taylor.

“You don’t want people thinking, ‘hold on, we are trying to hang onto 1-0’. Myles Weston was getting cramp in his calf and that was an easier decision and Bayo (Akinfenwa), to me, gave everything he had and I didn’t think he could do any more.

“Both the substitutes did great. Dack’s energy levels are fantastic and he just needs a bit of discipline when we haven’t got the ball to make to make sure he is in the right areas.

“Craig Fagan played like a clever, experienced centre forward when he came on and he played a couple of people in. They were pleasing.”