GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler has praised top scorer Marlon King for his excellent performances for the club in recent games. The 21-year-old bagged the late winning goal at Millwall on Saturday in a 2-1 victory.

Hessenthaler said: "Marlon is on fire now. He just wants to score goals and is doing a very good job for us." As part of a front three, King has played an active role in Gillingham's recent return to form that has seen them pick up eight points from a possible 12 in Division One.

On Saturday, he capped a remarkable comeback for by volleying an 87th minute winner at the New Den only four minutes after helping to set up Guy Ipoua's close range equaliser.

Hessenthaler said: "It was a great performance from us and I think over the 90 minutes we deserved to win the game. We were the better side and actually went one nil down against the run of play but the players showed great character to come back."

Gillingham's turnaround in fortunes has coincided with a change in formation with Iffy Onuora playing up front alongside King and Ipoua in an attacking 4-3-3 line-up.

The Gills boss explained: "We changed our system to four at the back and we've done very well with it. We've been more positive but that's the first goal we've conceded in the last four games. We know the three of them are a threat up front. When you've got King and Ipoua up there who've got pace and strength, you are always going to create chances and that's what we have been doing lately.

"But we have been very solid at the back and have stopped conceding silly goals and that's the most pleasing thing. We are a lot harder to play against."