Striker Tom Eaves thanked those Gillingham fans who kept the faith.

The 25-year-old got off the mark in style at Priestfield with a second-half treble against Southend.

It ended a four-game run without a goal for the Gills and came after a tough opening half on Saturday for Eaves.

He said: “I am happy and I always believed it. Don’t doubt me. I believe in myself and I just want to thank all the fans who stood by me.

“There was a bit of frustration sometimes, when the ball bounced off me, especially in the first half.

“I was frustrated with myself, I had five minutes where I lost the ball three times, but you have to stay positive.

“Sometimes when you hear things you have to go into your own bubble and think ‘I’m going to score, it’s going to come’ and it did. I’m over the moon.

“I appreciate all of the support from those people who believe in me. It goes a long way.”

Eaves’ last hat-trick came on April 1, 2013, while on loan at Shrewsbury from Bolton.

It was a day his mum made sure he remembered, reminding him of the feat just hours before his Gills treble.

“My mum sent me a video of my last hat-trick on the morning of the game,” the striker said.

“I watched it before I went to the ground. Maybe subconsciously I had it in my head.”

Eaves has already said he wants 20 goals this season but may need to be selfish, something he felt he was against Southend.

He said: “I certainly won’t be taking my foot off the pedal. I need to keep taking my chances when they come and stay in the box."