Bournemouth v Gillingham

MARK STIMSON has asked his Gillingham side to learn from the mistakes which led to last Saturday's surprise defeat against struggling Port Vale.

Defensive lapses contributed to both goals in the 2-1 loss and despite dominating possession, the Gills couldn't find the second goal which would have preserved a 10-match unbeaten record at Priestfield.

Stimson admitted his players need to learn lessons from that game but had been cheered by their response in training this week.

He said: "What we've got to look for is that bit of experience in certain situations.

"I know that's hard when you've got 18 and 19-year-olds in there but you want them to learn from what's happened.

"The second goal was very naive and we just needed that bit of quality and experience to get the second goal I thought we deserved."

Stimson's side travel to Bournemouth on Saturday to face a side that has not won at home all season and slumped to the bottom of League 1 following Vale's win in Kent.

But despite their poor record, the Gills boss insisted that the Cherries would not be taken lightly.

He said: "Whoever you play, you've got to respect. Just because they are bottom doesn't mean they are a bad side."

The Gills boss faces a selection poser in defence for Saturday.

Adam Bygrave could only begin training on Thursday, while Ian Cox has suffered a setback in his recovery from a thigh injury.

Efe Sodje is likely to be unavailable throughout the Christmas period following the head injury he sustained in the defeat at Yeovil.

* Read a Gills match report and see pictures from Bournemouth here on Saturday.