Head coach Ady Pennock described Saturday’s win as ‘massive’.

Gillingham’s 2-1 victory over Bury moved them six points clear of the League 1 relegation zone.

Speaking afterwards, Pennock said: “I’m very pleased.

“There were fingers and toes crossed towards the last 10 minutes. The only down side is that we didn’t get that clean sheet, which would have made it more comfortable, but I can’t take anything away from the players, they were fantastic.

Match report: Bury 1 Gillingham 2

“It’s a massive three points for us.”

Goals from Cody McDonald and Bradley Dack put the Gills 2-0 ahead but there was a tense finish after Bury pulled a goal back with a quality overhead kick.

Pennock said: “It was a fantastic finish (to make it 2-1), he took his goal very well, but being picky he had the freedom of the box.

“I didn’t want to see that go in the net, I can assure you, especially with 10 minutes to go. We’re then thinking ‘here we go’ but the players dug in.

“We are not hiding away from the fact that they hit the post, twice, and everything else, but other than that we thoroughly deserved it.

“It was a difficult place to go, against a team who had won their last three games on the spin, since Lee Clark has gone in (as manager). They have got some good players, good experience, but I am a very pleased manager.”