Tom Nichols has been a goal provider in recent games for Gillingham but is confident he’ll soon be scoring more himself.

Nichols teed up Scott Malone for tap-in on Saturday in the win over MK Dons and did likewise for Jonny Williams at Portsmouth on Tuesday night but has still only got one goal to his name himself.

That should change soon for a striker who is used to making double figures in a season.

He found the net for the Gills in the 3-2 EFL Cup defeat at Luton but unselfish actions of late means he’s not been able to add to that tally.

“I just want the team to do well,” he said. “They were in better positions to score. The one on Saturday I could have had a shot but Scott couldn’t miss and that was 100% a goal. You have to put the team before yourself and get the goal.

“They are thankful for it. Jonny said thanks the other night and it is a nice feeling when you see how happy they get but there is nothing better than scoring goals yourself. It will be my time soon I am sure.

“I don’t know what it is, but notoriously I do start slow in season scoring-wise and unfortunately that has been the case again this season but I feel I am contributing to the team and I feel it is just a matter of time before I start scoring again.”

Nichols had a shock last Saturday when he celebrated their second goal infront of the Rainham End. He got a pie in the face!

“That was definitely a first for me in football,” he joked.

“We had scored the goal, I was celebrating with my arms out and something smacked me in the head. I looked down and thought it was a hot dog but apparently it was a cheese pie.

“You would expect it from the away fans but not the home fans!

“It was a great shot I suppose. It didn’t hurt and luckily it wasn’t hot but it was all in my hair. I don’t know why the person didn’t eat it – but they owe me a pint for sure.”

Nichols mentioned the pie-throwing incident on social media and added: “Four or five people have said it was them, so some other people are trying to take credit for it!”

While being pied is something new, playing under an interim manager isn’t, and Nichols is just getting on with the job.

“We have a good group of professionals and we are getting on with it,” he said.

“Keith is doing well, there is a lot of detail going in, it’s just business as usual really.

“The owners have made the decision and we have to get on with it. They want to go in a different direction. I am sure they will pick the right guy and in the meantime we have to focus on the job.

“Keith is hugely experienced, he has done this six or seven times before, it’s nothing new to him. He has a wealth of experience and he is passing it on to us. We are in good hands at the moment.

“We played really well against MK Dons and we have a good squad of players.

“We are trying to play through the thirds a bit more, a slight tweak in the style of player, but he’s not come in and been polar opposite, just trying to tweak things here and there, probably just building through the thirds a bit more.

“Everyone wants to play the beautiful game, make a thousand passes, but that’s just not realistic.”

Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy appearance was Nichols’ 450th senior game.

He said: “I knew it was coming up soon and I spoke to my partner about it (before Tuesday). We had a little look, added them up and it was 449.

“It is a nice achievement for me and I still remember my first one, Sheffield Wednesday away when I was 17 for Exeter. There a lot of memories inbetween. It was a proud moment for me.”

His top three games so far are all in the FA Cup, with Exeter against Liverpool, Peterborough away against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a mad 7-6 win for Crawley at Torquay, where the striker bagged his first senior hat-trick.

Aged 30, there’s still time to create some memories with the Gills.

He said: “I look forward to what more I can achieve in the game. It is nice to look back at games but there are no regrets, I like to look forward and be positive. I love it here.”