Ady Pennock bemoaned his side’s killer instinct on Saturday.

The Gills boss is still searching for a win, five games into the League 1 season, after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat.

But he felt it might have been a different story had they shown the same ruthlessness that their visitors did.

Pennock said: “First 20 minutes, half an hour, the football we were playing was very good, but you have to be clinical in both boxes.

“They had two chances, after that first 25 minutes, and they were clinical and we weren’t. We should be defending better as well.

Report: Gillingham 1 Shrewsbury Town 2

“I thought the first 25 minutes we played really well and then second half, we just couldn’t get that extra goal at the end.”

The Gills were a goal behind after failing to win a tackle in their own box and a second when Shrewsbury’s Alex Rodman was allowed too much space to head home a cross.

Pennock recognised that his side’s defending wasn’t good enough.

“It is bitterly disappointing,” he said.

“I can’t believe we went in 2-0 down at half-time, I really couldn’t, but it was what it was.

“The boys were dead on their feet (after the game) and they gave us everything.

“We are playing alright and we just have to be ruthless in both boxes more than anything else. They are a good side but I am just bitterly disappointed with not getting a result.”

The Gills did show fight to the final whistle, pulling a goal back through Josh Parker.

Pennock said: “If we scored that next one, it didn’t matter if it was the 47 minute or the 81, we knew that they would sit back and we would be on our front foot more.

“We didn’t start the second half very well, there was a lot of stop, starting, but we really had a right old go.

“I am disappointed for the players, for myself and everyone involved. More importantly, it is disappointing for them, because they deserve more from the game.”

The Gills boss confirmed that Max Ehmer was suffering with a back injury, which is why the substitute was unable to warm up before or during the game.