GILLINGHAM'S player-manager Andy Hessenthaler issued a public apology to supporters for the team's performance in Saturday's home defeat by Coventry.

The setback leaves the club without a home win in the league since the 1-0 success against Millwall on August 17.

Hessenthaler conceded: "We need to start performing better at home because we're not doing well at Priestfield. It's a collective thing and you cannot pick out one individual.

"I'm bound to say that we seem to pass the ball better away from home whereas we look a bit nervous in front of our own fans.

"I feel sorry for the supporters because they pay decent money to come long and watch us and we didn't perform. So I apologise to them."

He admitted: "I had a really good feeling before the game that we would do well because we had players back. But it just didn't happen."

Centre-back Barry Ashby, who went off with a thigh strain, is already doubtful for Saturday's match at Rotherham.