Gillingham 1 - 0 Hartlepool United

GILLINGHAM caretaker boss Ronnie Jepson saluted his players after his first game in the manager's hot-seat ended with a hard-earned three points.

Paul Shields’ first goal in English football was enough to hand the Gills maximum points and end a traumatic week on a high.

Jepson admitted: "It was a difficult game. It’s been a difficult week for Gillingham Football Club with talk of administration, the manager going and all the injuries.

"It could have been doom and gloom but the lads haven’t let it get to them. They’ve raised their standards, raised their game and I’ve nothing but praise for them.

"It wasn’t a classic by any stretch of the imagination but the amount of effort the lads showed for me was absolutely superb and I thank them for their efforts."

Jepson was quick to praise the commitment of the players after recent criticism of their attitude under previous manager Neale Cooper.

"In this league you’ll see plenty of games like that. It’s rough and ready at times and the players have to stand up, which our boys did. They dug in and defended for their lives," said Jepson.

"You need to make the best of what you’ve got at your disposal and those lads on the park were fantastic.

"One swallow doesn’t make a summer and we’re well aware of that. We know that improvements need to be made and we’re looking towards the transfer window. Hopefully we’ll have a bit of movement then.

"These boys are certainly good enough to stay in the league and they just need a little more belief in themselves. We want to progress and we want to introduce people to the club."

* FOR ALL THE ACTION AND REACTION FROM SATURDAY'S CRUCIAL WIN SEE MONDAY'S MEDWAY MESSENGER.