GILLINGHAM player-manager Andy Hessenthaler admitted this week that he feels he needs to spend more time on the touchline.

The battling 2-2 draw at Coventry saw Hessenthaler drop himself from the squad after admitting the team need his services off the pitch far more than on it.

He said: “I pulled myself out of the 16 because at the moment I felt the team needs a manager and not a player-manager and my performances have been suffering through it as well.

“I’ve taken a step back. I thought it’s time to stay on the sidelines and keep myself out and be a manager for a little while and try and get it right.”

Hessenthaler remains available for selection should he be required but was more than happy with the way the side fought back during their game at Highfield Road.

He said: “I’m pleased, especially after the weekend, we made a few changes tonight and to come back from being 2-0 down showed great character.

“They didn’t cause us loads of problems. We gave a sloppy goal away and changed a few things in the second half and got back into it. I cant praise the players enough. It was a good response.”

Coventry were awarded a controversial penalty just after half-time and Hessenthaler was adamant it should not have been a spot-kick and felt the decision changed the game.

He said: “There’s no way it was a penalty. Just after half-time that was a killer blow for us and after the weekend, they could have got three or four easily if our heads dropped. But we got the goal back, pulled it back to 2-2 and could have had it won.”

On his decision to take a step back from playing, Hess told KM-fm that it does not mean he is hanging up his boots for good...