Gillingham stated their promotion credentials with a derby win at Millwall on Saturday.

It was a victory that boss Justin Edinburgh hopes lifts the spirits following a home defeat the week before.

“We needed to make a statement,” said the Gills boss, whose side lost 3-0 at home to Burton in their previous match.

“It sends out the right message. It was very sombre after last week, which I can understand, because we hadn’t been beaten at home for nearly 10 months and it was a record we were proud of.

“We had been beaten by three of the top three in the last six weeks and it was a little disappointing but the group have done fantastic, on and off the pitch.

“It is a fitting end to the week. Not many teams will go to Millwall and win 3-0. They were in good form and our players had to work very hard. I am very proud of them.”

Apart from making an enforced change for suspended skipper Doug Loft, the manager kept faith with the team that lost the week before. They responded by claiming a memorable win in South London.

Edinburgh said: “I think anyone who took any time to look at the performance last week would see it was a very good one in difficult circumstances, up against it at times.

“I certainly had no doubt about showing my faith in that group of players. They deserved the chance to go out and put it right, which they did.

“It was a great game, a good game to be involved in and even better to come out with a 3-0 victory.”

Edinburgh’s men were backed by over 1,500 fans at The Den.

“They were immense from start to finish and it felt like a home game,” said the manager.

“Hopefully we have given them a nice little Christmas present.”