GRIM-FACED Andy Hessenthaler vowed that Gillingham would return to form and right the wrongs of Friday's 5-1 mauling at Bradford. Defeat was the worst and heaviest the Gills boss had experienced since taking charge a year ago.

It was the club's third straight league defeat and was not the welcome back Hessenthaler had hoped for after starting a match for the first time in nine months.

"It was a bad defeat and it hurts," said Hessenthaler. "There were players out there who did not do themselves justice and they know it.

"But we'll bounce back. We've done it before and we'll do it again on Tuesday when we play Wolves. They are a good side who have spent a lot of money but we'll have players who will want to make a point."

He added: "Bradford's second was the killer goal. After that we let ourselves down which is not like us."

Hessenthaler, who replaced the injured Ty Gooden on the left side of midfield, admitted it was not his best position. Significantly he had switched to his normal position on the right when creating Marlon King's consolation goal in second half stoppage time.

"What with Roland Edge suspended and then losing Ty we lost a little of our balance on the left side," he admitted." I'm not really happy playing on the left but you have to get on with it.

"The player we really missed out there was big Iffy because he's been in superb form since day one. We needed his physical presence to put their defence under pressure."

Hessenthaler stayed in Bradford on Friday night before going to watch Wolves on Saturday.

Jubilant Bradford manager Jim Jefferies afterwards praised Gillingham goalkeeper Vince Bartram from saving his side from a heavier defeat. Even so it was the club's biggest win since they beat Bristol City by the same score in October, 1998.

"I thought Bartram was superb" said Jefferies. "The save he pulled off from Jamie Lawrence near the end was unbelievable. It could easily have been six, all credit to the lad.

"I think Gillingham were unfortunate to catch us in such terrific form because that was easily our best performance of the season."