Leading scorer Tom Eaves was dropped to the bench on Monday and faces a battle to regain his starting place.

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell was pleased with the combination of Brandon Hanlan and loan striker Tahvon Campbell up top at Bradford.

Eaves, who has 20 goals this season, was left out of the 1st XI because of a lack of form.

“Tom has had a dip recently and he would be the first to admit it,” Lovell said. “He is a great lad and he understands. I did it before to him and he has come back and been brilliant.”

Eaves is out of contract in the summer and may well be moving on having not reached agreement on a new deal that was offered back in December.

But whatever happens in the future, Lovell insists it won’t affect his team selection.

“Next year never crossed my mind,” he said. “I thought Tav came on against Plymouth on Friday and did a good job and he had a good game again.”

Eaves had wanted to claim the League 1 Golden Boot this season but he’s now five goals adrift of leading marksman James Collins (Luton).

Speaking about the pair who did play at Bradford, Lovell said: “They deserved to have a go and they have done themselves no harm.

“Brandon is a handful and I thought him and Tav played well up front. The two of them linked up well, with Elliott (List) in behind.

“There was a lot of energy with Regan (Charles-Cook) and Leo (Da Silva Lopes). I thought we were very sharp and knocked the ball around well. I said to them at half-time the only thing missing was a goal or two. I felt that if we got the next we would go on and win it. It wasn’t to be but it was a point.

“Regan had a great effort that hit the bar, him and Leo showed some great energy and some great skills on the ball.

“I loved watching the boys play, the way they passed the ball around. The only frustrating thing is that we don’t get the ball in the back of the net. That will come.”