Cody McDonald has backed fellow striker Luke Norris to bounce back after his late penalty was saved.

Notts County keeper Roy Carroll held onto Norris’ 80th-minute spot-kick to deny Gills a share of the points.

“He is a quality player and just because he missed a penalty doesn’t mean that he is going to shy away from it again,” said McDonald.

“He is confident and when it comes around again he will be first to put his hand up. Everyone misses penalties, the greats miss, Ronaldo missed one in the week.

“Luke will bounce back strong from it. He is a great player and he has to put that behind him.”

Saturday’s loss was Gillingham’s second in a row.

“The lads are gutted,” said McDonald, as the Gills failed to put away one of 17 attempts at goal.

“We perfumed really well and it was a contrast from last week, it was rolls reversed.

“We were backs against the walls in our last game but this time it was us putting the pressure on and creating the chances. We played well but we couldn’t score.

“Going forward we were good and defensively we were decent but we just lacked concentration on the goal and we were disappointed about that but going forward it was really positive.

“We keep saying that and we have to actually start doing it. It is coming but we need to do it soon rather than later. If we keep playing like that it will happen and our luck has to change eventually.

“It was obviously frustrating for us and the manager but there are a lot of positives to take out of that. If we perform like that away from home most times then we will be alright.”

McDonald himself had a trio of good opportunities in the second half.

“We have to take chances, myself included,” said McDonald.

“That’s football, sometimes you get one chance and take it and sometimes you get a couple and they don’t quite go in. I will keep plugging away and I am sure I will get into the positions and hopefully on Tuesday night (away at Colchester in the Football League Trophy) one will get into the net.”