Connor Ogilvie came off the bench with a second-half performance that delighted his manager and team-mates at Rotherham.

Ogilvie was Gillingham’s only change on Saturday, dropping out for Bradley Garmston, but he roared back with an impressive second-half performance.

Garmston was withdrawn as a precaution after the left-back felt a twinge in his groin, leaving an opportunity for Ogilvie. He started at left-back before playing a key role in the centre of defence.

Caretaker boss Steve Lovell said: “Perhaps he was a bit unfortunate to be left out of the side but I told him in training on Friday that I think he is a better centre-half than left-back.

“I said he would get his opportunity and it happened. He came on and was magnificent.

“He won all his headers, he defended well and the boys gave him a round of applause (afterwards) and that lifts people.

“Connor isn’t the loudest but he goes about his business in a professional way and I was really pleased for him to come on and play the way he did.”

Lovell was playing it safe with Garmston, saying: “He felt a little tightness and that was understandable. I thought he did well first half but I don’t want to risk anyone being out for six weeks.”

An injury to Gabriel Zakuani led to Ogilvie’s move in the middle.

“Gabs felt his calf but I don’t think there is anything serious,” Lovell said.

His other substitute was Scott Wagstaff, for Elliott List.

He said: “We couldn’t quite get Elliott in the game, but you get that sometimes. I wanted Wagstaff on, he has trained well all week and he did well.

“Waggy, Connor and Luke (O’Neill) have gone on (as substitutes) and they have done exactly the same as anyone else would do. That has to be the case because we can’t carry anybody.

“We haven’t got a big enough squad to carry anybody. We need people firing on all cylinders every time we step out onto that pitch and that’s what we’re getting at the moment. Long may it continue.”