GILLINGHAM face 12 more matches to save themselves from the drop ­– and manager Mark Stimson admitted it could go to the last game.

The 4-2 defeat at Brighton on Tuesday night sent them back into the drop zone and Stimson wasn't hiding away from the reality of the situation.

He said: "It's going to go to the wire isn't it. It's going to be a roller-coaster ride and it's about holding our nerve, being patient and we must keep playing the kind of football we want to play.

"We know we're in a sticky situation but the only way out of it is to stand up and be counted."

Stimson believes his team can lift themselves out of trouble and still entertain. That's what he hopes will happen as the season reaches its climax.

"It's ok for me to say that, but it can be difficult sometimes when you're asking players that might be lacking a little confidence.

"My job is to get those players up and make sure they believe in everything we tell them. I'm 100 per cent sure of that."