The hard work paid off for Elliott List after making his debut on Boxing Day.

List has had to wait patiently for his first-team appearance, arriving in the summer following his release from Crystal Palace.

He joined the action briefly, late on in the win at Swindon, jumping ahead of many seasoned pros.

“The boy’s earned it,” said Gills boss Justin Edinburgh.

“In the last three or four weeks he has been excellent. He has really come on and he has been outstanding in development games and first class in training.

“He earned his place in the squad and rightly so. I am really pleased for him because he deserves that opportunity.”

List, 18, tweeted: “Amazing feeling making my league debut for the Gills in the match against Swindon.”

Watching on the sidelines was Brennan Dickenson and Jordan Houghton, who were left out.

Edinburgh said: “That shows how strong the squad is and the level of performances that need to be put in during training. The whole group knows it.

“Those two boys are disappointed not to be involved but they are absolutely delighted for the group of players that have won the game.

“They were the first there to congratulate them and that’s what we’re all about, the ones who are not in the team are the most important ones.”