It was a performance like a seasoned pro – that was Gills head coach Ady Pennock’s view of Mitchell Dickenson’s performance at Bury.

The 20-year-old central defender was making his first Football League appearance, coming off the bench to replace injured Ryan Jackson.

Pennock said: ”We have been working a lot with Mitch. We have been doing a lot of one-on-ones with him because you never know when you could be called upon.

“He deserved to come in and I thought he was outstanding.

“He was like a seasoned pro. He was talking, he cleared his lines when he had to and he didn’t look out of place at all. He is a young lad who has come through and it can only be good for the future of the club.”

Jackson was added to the injury list after suffering a groin problem midway through the first half.

Pennock will be hoping his injury isn’t serious as he awaits news of another player who has picked up a knock.

Scott Wagstaff was injured in training on Friday.

He said: “Wags opened his knee up in training with a 50-50 challenge. There might be a bit of ligament damage. Hopefully that will settle down and he might be okay for next week.”