Former Gillingham manager Justin Edinburgh stoked up Sunday’s match from the off by refusing to shake Ady Pennock’s hand.

Pennock replaced Edinburgh as Gills boss in January and offered his hand on several occasions before play commenced – as is the norm.

But although Edinburgh was standing his ground before the match, it was all smiles afterwards.

“I had a beer with Justin and he apologised,” Pennock said. “He was as good as gold and there was no problem at all.

“Obviously, there was a situation where I came in and he was the manager before. I would never say anything or comment untoward because that is not the way I work.”

Edinburgh guided his current team Northampton to safety and could have sent the Gills down on Sunday. But a goalless draw at Sixfields was enough for Gillingham to avoid the drop.

“I think it was more about frustration,” said Pennock, who admitted there was plenty said between the two benches.

“There were bits and bobs going across from the dugouts, nothing to do with me. But I said to him ‘be sensible’, because I didn’t want to see him get sent off and get a fine, because he wouldn’t win.

"We had a beer and everything is fine.”