Gills manager Justin Edinburgh is convinced his men will come out fighting this weekend.

Gillingham’s automatic promotion hopes were dashed on Tuesday night with a 2-1 home defeat to Walsall, leaving them eight points adrift of second spot

Edinburgh’s side dropped to sixth in League 1 – the final play-off spot – and are just three points above the team below them, Barnsley.

With just five games left, a defiant Edinburgh said: “We have been rocked but know what this group are about. One thing we are sure of is that come Saturday, we will come out fighting.

“Games are ticking by. We need to put points on the board, people are chasing and the gaps are tightening.

“This is where we have to remain calm, collected, with clear minds and we have to reassure a group of players who are distraught and hurting and down. They are more than capable and have shown that.”

Gills have had a remarkable season so far, fighting for the automatic promotion places for much of it but now their aim is to maintain a position in the play-offs.

Edinburgh said: “You have to look at where we are and where we have been. I have no doubt we will continue to stay there.

“People can say this and that but we had never been out of the top five (before Tuesday) and that will be the focus now."

Gills face Port Vale at home on Saturday, a side who are sitting mid-table.

“We can’t wait,” said the Gills boss. “We know we are better than (the performance on Tuesday). We haven’t been beaten at our best, we have been beaten well below par in the second half."