Alan Julian made only his third start for Gillingham in the 1-0 win at Macclesfield on Saturday and manager Mark Stimson praised the player’s attitude.

The 25-year-old keeper, who signed in the summer from Stevenage, had been waiting patiently for his chance.

Gills boss Stimson said: “If there is a person who deserves a game then it’s him because his attitude has been absolutely incredible.

“He’s been sitting waiting and we’ve been conceding goals, and they haven’t always been Royce’s fault so it’s been hard to leave him out.

“Royce was taken ill overnight and Alan stepped in and looked good.”

With a clean sheet and a positive attitude, Stimson will now have to make a decision whether to put Royce straight back in.

Listen to Gills boss Mark Stimson talk to our Gills reporter Luke Cawdell about Alan Julian and the way club's season is shaping up in the lead up to Christmas by clicking the link at the top of this page.