Gills boss Justin Edinburgh said Saturday’s derby in Southend felt like a home game.

His team were cheered on by almost 2,000 fans at Roots Hall, with the official number of away fans confirmed as 1,921 in a crowd of 9,135.

“It was fantastic support,” said Edinburgh. “It was like a home game and I was pleased because we deserved something.

“Certainly to score in front of those fantastic fans was brilliant. They tried their best to suck it in at the end, but it wasn’t to be.”

Those Gills fans were joined by injured players Bradley Dack, John Egan, Doug Loft, Adam El-Abd and Cody McDonald.

Egan, who was photographed by numerous supporters on the day, tweeted: “The fans were brilliant. Thought we deserved three points. Good performance from the lads.”

Bradley Garmston was an unused substitute but he too praised the travelling support.

“Credit to the travelling fans,” he said. “Great support to help us earn a good point away from home, unlucky not to get all three.”

Max Ehmer described the fans as “unreal” while Brennan Dickenson praised the “incredible” support.