Gills chairman Paul Scally was keen to praise boss Mark Stimson in his programme notes on Saturday.

Stimson has had a major rebuilding job to do since taking the job, but the Gills moved up to fourth with their third win in a row in beating Exeter 1-0.

Mr Scally wrote before the game: “I am delighted that people can now see what Mark is trying to do, and had been trying to do over the last 12 months or so since he arrived at the club.

“It’s no secret that it’s pained me at times to hear the negativity and abuse that’s been thrown at our manager by some individuals, and I hope those who were responsible are now man enough to hold their hands up and give him the total support as we push forward and have a shot at promotion.”

Stimson admitted after the game it had been a hard slog to get together a team who want to succeed.

“Last year was an absolute nightmare,” he said. “Players didn’t want to train or work hard and it makes your job so much more difficult.

“It’s great to be around these players now. We’ve brought the right people into the building to hopefully take the club forward and if they don’t, what we won’t ask questions of is their desire and their effort, because all of them are signing the same notes and at the moment we’re in a good bit of form.”