Mark Byrne knows how to handle a relegation battle.

He experienced them in three successive seasons while playing for Barnet in League 2.

Final-day wins in 2011 and 2012 saw them escape the drop before finally succumbing to relegation in 2013 – the same year Gills won League 2.

Having experienced the situation before, the 28-year-old Irishman believes that effort can go a long way.

He said: “Whoever puts in the most effort, that will to win and fight will have a chance. That is what it comes down to.

“Everyone has to work hard together and put in 100% effort.

“Over the next few games you will see people picking up wins when you never thought they would do.

“Some teams get comfortable towards the end of the season, when they know their position and where they are. The more determined you are, the more likely it is you are going to pick up points.”

Gills put the effort in last weekend to draw with Millwall and remain just a point above the drop zone heading into the Easter weekend.

Byrne said: “It was a physical battle and we knew it would be from the start. The boys put in a great performance and dug deep.

“It stopped the rot (after four straight defeats) and we needed something. We got that point and it gives us some confidence going into Friday (home to Bristol Rovers) and Monday (at Charlton) – two vital games.

“If we put in the performance that we did last Saturday, we should get a result. This is a massive weekend for us.

“There are a few teams around us and it could even come down to goal difference. We need to get some points on the board.”