GILLINGHAM skipper Paul Smith praised the club's supporters after the Priestfield faithful roared their side to a 3-0 victory against Watford on Saturday.

Smith said the fans really got behind their team and made for an intimidating atmosphere inside the ground.

The captain also paid tribute to his side after bringing the Hornets’ promotion bandwagon to a grinding halt with a superb first-half performance.

He said: “A bit was made about our tempo and fans but it’s a vicious circle. If we don’t get the fans going they can’t get us going but they were absolutely superb on Saturday.

“With the way we started, we got them going and then they kept us going, so full credit to them and full credit to the boys, I thought they were fantastic.

“That's what this club is about. It’s about the rapport the players have got with the fans and, as of late it had been a little bit dead. I think the fans would be the first to say that - but it was like the Priestfield of old. It was a great atmosphere and it's like having an extra player at times."