Gills manager Steve Lovell was delighted to see the message get through.

He was livid at the side’s ‘sloppy’ start to their midweek FA Cup game against Carlisle, which led to them crashing out of the competition.

But Friday night’s League 1 game at Fleetwood was in complete contrast, with a great start leading to another three points.

He said: “The performance was first class, in the first half, and it was quite the opposite on Tuesday.

“I said to the boys, ‘learn from that, you can’t start as sloppy as that’, and what was pleasing was they took on the advice and they controlled the first half.

“We got the two goals and had another disallowed.”

Report: Fleetwood Town 0 Gillingham 2

Josh Parker and Luke O’Neill put the Gills two goals head after just 15 minutes. They then kept it tight for the remainder of the game.

Lovell said: “Second half we knew Fleetwood would get on the ball and try and play but we kept our shape, our defensive discipline, which we worked hard on as a unit in training, and it is pleasing when that all comes together for a good result.

“We did the two sides of it, defensive and attacking, which we were happy with.”

Lovell was certainly in a better mood than on Tuesday, nursing a sore knuckle when he came out to face the press at Carlisle.

He said: “I nearly broke my hand on the flipchart, that’s how stern I was on Tuesday, I gave it a good old punch, but I don’t do that very often.

“You have to make a point, we do know what we are talking about some of the time.

“They are a great bunch, I respect that, they took it on board. They answered the question I asked of them on Tuesday in fine fashion. It was a great result.

“I’m happy and we can have a nice Christmas now and look forward to Boxing Day.”

Top 10 pictures from Gillingham's win at Fleetwood

The Gills had won their previous league game 4-1 against Bristol Rovers, the first time they have won back to back league games this season.

“Six goals and six points,” beamed the Gills boss. “Happy Christmas!”