A clean sheet on the opening day delighted Gillingham boss Ady Pennock.

The former Gills defender loved a clean sheet as a player and gets just as much satisfaction as a manager.

Pennock had to wait 21 games for a shut-out last season - with a goalless draw at Northampton on the last day of the previous campaign - but got off to a solid start at the weekend.

“I love clean sheets,” he said.

“It was a tough place to go, we were up against supporters where every decision again them they were loud but we stood our own, we had chances as well.

“Their keeper did two or three worldy saves, but we will take a point and go from there.

“It was a very good game for a nil-nil. Both keepers played very well. It was an entertaining game and I’m very pleased that we’ve got the ball rolling with a point.

“They were full of confidence after getting promotion last season. We gave a good account of ourselves.”

Pennock knows there is still work to be done.

He said: “You have to be organised and the boys worked their socks off. We looked fitter and sharper.

“Being honest, we could have done a little better on the ball, especially if you look at the pre-season games, we needed to be a little braver on the ball and that’s what I told them afterwards.

“I think the switch (in play) was on a few times with our wing-backs. Other than that there were no complaints at all, we showed a lot of heart and desire and a clean sheet was great.”