Gillingham boss Steve Lovell is demanding his side show a more ruthless streak.

Gills let Oxford United off the hook on Tuesday night in the Checkatrade Trophy, missing several early chances and losing 2-1 in stoppage time.

Lovell will be hoping his men are not so generous when they travel to League 1 bottom side Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, a team just three points worse off than Gills.

“We have to be a little more clinical in the final third,” said Lovell, who is hoping to preserve his unbeaten away record since taking over as manager.

“First half (on Tuesday) we passed the ball well. We were bright and created a number of opportunities and should have killed the game off.

“We are creating enough chances but players have to start taking them.

“It can be a concern if you are getting the chances and not sticking them away.

“It is not for the want of trying. The lads try hard, they work hard in training to do it but it is just the way it goes.”

Gills have only lost once in eight league games under Lovell but remain in the drop-zone and won’t want to be dragged further into trouble with defeat against Plymouth.

“It’s another big game for us,” said Lovell. “If we can take on the good stuff we did on Tuesday and the other good stuff from the last seven or eight weeks, then we will come back with a result.

“I have no doubts we are good enough, we just need to start taking our opportunities.”

Read the full story in Thursday's Medway Messenger