Practice made perfect for the Gills on Saturday, according to skipper Doug Loft.

Gillingham pulled Crawley apart in the first half and that was all down to their efforts during the week said Loft.

“It is because we had movement off the ball,” the captain said.

“I said to the boys the other day in training, ‘we have to move better off the ball’ because then you’ve got options. We haven’t had options like that lately and we haven’t kept the ball as well.

“We worked on that in training and Dack and people like that had good movement. There were always options.

“Our final ball could have been better at times but it is coming. We are getting better as a team.”

The Gills still left it late to score a winner, as Jermaine McGlashan struck with nine minutes left.

“I think we deserved it,” said Loft.

“We bossed the game first half and the boys did really well. Crawley gave it a go in the second half but we showed some character and came back for the win.

“The boys did well. It was a hard game and they (Crawley) launch the ball in high; they are a very long ball at times and I think our centre backs and full-backs dealt with it brilliantly.

“John Egan and Max Ehmer were winning headers and restricted them to just a few chances. We deserved the win and it was a good result.”

Dack scored the opener and was a real bright spark for the Gills.

“His first goal was a brilliant one,” said the skipper.

“He linked up well and it was a great finish. Everyone at the club knows Dack’s talents and I can’t speak highly enough of him. He was excellent and deserved his goal.”

It was a cross from Dack that was headed home by McGlashan to win the game.

Loft said: “When we played there before Glash missed one from under the bar. I think he was actually in the goal when he missed it!

“He made up for that with this one. It was a good header. He shut his eyes and did well.”