GILLINGHAM can keep their undefeated run going until the end of the season. That's the slightly optimistic belief of club boss Andy Hessenthaler who insists his side's sequence of eight games without defeat is just the beginning.

After defeating Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 at the Priestfield on Saturday, the Gills moved 11 points clear of the relegation zone in Division One and are now within six points of a play-off position.

Hessenthaler said: "I'm delighted with the three points. We can keep this run going until the end of the season. There's no doubt about that. It's now eight unbeaten, with just one loss in our last eleven games, so confidence is good. The Christmas period will be tough but with 33 points from 24 games I'm very pleased. The run is enjoyable but we're not getting carried away."

First half goals from Paul Shaw and Simon Osborn were enough to see off Wednesday although, as Hessenthaler conceded, the match could have gone either way.

He said: "Over the 90 minutes we edged the game but I came in at half time and wasn't happy with our display. As a team defensively we were very loose and our coach said it could have been four-each at the break, although we did tighten it up in the second half.

"With them hitting the post with the last kick, we rode our luck at the end of the match but the luck will even itself out by the end of the season."

Gillingham's hopes of extending their unbeaten sequence face a difficult test when they travel to fast-improving Barnsley next weekend. The Tykes, who were denied their third victory on the bounce at Sheffield United on Friday evening, remain in the bottom three but under new boss Steve Parkin they will be a tough test for Hessenthaler's team.

The Gills manager agreed: "They are a good side, especially at their place, and with a new manager who has got them going a bit, we know it'll be a tough game. But we go up there full of confidence and hopefully we can come away with another good result next week."

The Gills will be without two of their first choice forwards, as Marlon King and Iffy Onuora sit on the sidelines through suspension, meaning a likely first start this season for on-loan striker Bob Taylor, although Hessenthaler isn't too concerned.

He said: "The pleasing thing for me is that we have had to make changes over the last few weeks but the boys who have come in have done very well which shows you that we have a decent squad at this football club."