Gillingham manager Mark Stimson is hoping Saturday’s win over Macclesfield will give fans renewed confidence in his side’s promotion prospects.

Doubts had crept in following a three-game winless sequence and three matches at Priestfield without success, but it all went to plan on Saturday.

The 3-1 home victory over Macclesfield put the Gills right back in the promotion hunt.

“It was important we got three points,” said Stimson. “We didn’t play particularly well but we scored three goals at home and hopefully that gives the fans a bit of belief that it could be our year.

“We’re going to have more games like that where we don’t play particularly well but if we can come out with the three points that’s the most important thing now.

“We’re knocking these games down. It’s 14 left and I said to the boys we’ve got a free week and then it really does get exciting, because the games come thick and fast.

“They will be tested as players, and they need to make sure they perform well to be involved.”