Mark Stimson was delighted with the way his side stood up to Chesterfield’s physical challenge after Gillingham’s 2-1 win on Saturday.

The visitors picked up six yellow cards and were lucky to finish the game with 11 men.

Stimson said: “I didn’t expect it. When you look at their team they are not the biggest but all credit to our players, we didn’t get too involved.

“At one stage it looked like it might spoil over and the referee could have been left with a decision to make. We kept our character and to come away with the three points was important.

“It was like rolling the clock back 10 years with some of the tackles. You’ve just got to get on with it and keep passing. When we did that we looked like a good side.”

Goalscorers Adam Miller and Simeon Jackson were singled out for praise by Stimson.

He added: “Chances were few and far between but when the pair of them were called upon to finish off, they both did well.

“People may not see Miller as a goalscorer but I definitely see him as a goal threat. He isn’t shy of shooting and he can put people in.”