Interim boss Keith Millen explained why there was a need for Gillingham to go on the defensive late in the game at the weekend.

The Gills were leading MK Dons 2-0 at one stage, and Conor Mahoney missed a great chance to make it three, before the visitors staged a fightback.

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Millen replaced attackers for defenders late in the game as Gillingham were eventually left hanging on for three points, winning 2-1.

One MK substitute Ellis Harrison headed in a cross from another, Jonathan Leko, with eight eight minutes left of normal time after both central defender Max Ehmer and left-back Max Clark had already replaced Gillingham forwards Tom Nichols and Jayden Clarke.

At 2-1, defensive player Robbie McKenzie was then introduced for winger Mahoney.

Only some super late saves from Jake Turner and a few last-gasp challenges ensured MK were kept at bay.

Millen, who remains in charge for the midweek EFL Trophy match at Portsmouth, said: “I wanted us to try see the game out and had we scored a third I think the game would gave been over, but in every game, every team who are losing with 10 minutes to go are going to push men forward.

“I don’t like having to drop back and put men behind the ball but you can’t ignore what the opposition are doing, it is the way it is.

“Of course, I wanted to keep two forwards upfront, but when the opposition are putting five upfront you can’t ignore that because you are going to get punished.

“I think the last 10 minutes is just normal when a team is chasing, but apart from that their desire to defend is what they have shown all season. I have been in and around most games, that side they are really good, a strong group.”

MK Dons ended the match with 27 attempts at goal, compared with 16 for the Gills, but on this occasion it was the Gills who proved more ruthless, taking the points with goals from Macauley Bonne and Scott Malone.

Bonne had been replaced in the starting eleven, only to come on for the injured Ashley Nadesan and score the 26th-minute opener.

“I was delighted,” said Millen. “I sort of partly rested him after last Tuesday (at Crewe) and I think it would have panned out, I felt Nadders’ pace in behind would have hurt them, it looked like it was going to but he turned his ankle quite badly.

“We lost that threat a little bit but Macca, to be fair, he looked dangerous, running down the sides and I am really pleased for him, he took his goal well. With a little bit more confidence we could have punished them a few more times.

“But, saying that, they had some half chances and that is League 2, the level you’re at, every team will have chances and it’s whether you can take them or not.”