ANDY HESSENTHALER dismissed thoughts of panic and called on players and fans alike to present a united front as Gillingham slid perilously close to the relegation zone following Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Reading.

With one win from their last six League games, the club have set alarm bells jangling by slipping to 20th with a goal difference of minus 11.

To make matters worse, companions in distress Watford and Derby won on Saturday, while Nottingham Forest picked up a precious point at Rotherham to leave Gillingham a mere five points away from the nearest relegation place.

On Wednesday, Gillingham face Forest in a re-arranged game at the City Ground and visit play-off minded Crystal Palace next Saturday. They return to Priestfield on Tuesday, March 2, to take on third-placed Wigan before entertaining Forest on Saturday, March 6.

Though the Gills boss insists there is no reason to panic, supporters are already treating the two games against Forest as crucial to the club's ability to survive in the Nationwide League, Division 1.

"We've had eight years of good times at this football club, now we need everyone to pull together," said Hessenthaler. "Now we've got to dig in and keep working hard.

"We're having a little bit of a struggle right now so we need to pull together. That means myself, my coach Wayne Jones, all the players and all the supporters. "If we do that we'll come through it."

He added pointedly: "There is no question of panic setting in because there are 16 games to go and plenty of points to be had.