Neil Harris wants Gillingham to keep Leyton Orient waiting for promotion.

The O’s are up if they win at Priestfield tonight but the Gills have their own business to take care of, knowing victory would cement League 2 safety.

Harris had to watch as Rotherham celebrated promotion by beating Gillingham on the final day of last season, a result that sent his side down.

He wants Gills to get the job done and if that keeps Orient’s celebrations on hold, so be it.

“We don’t want people to celebrate on our patch,” said Harris.

“We saw that last year with Rotherham - that was hard to take - but that’s not the main aim for us.

“Our main aim is to secure safety in the division and we’re very close to that now.”

A point would be enough for Orient should either Bradford or Northampton drop points tonight.

Harris could cope with that - he just doesn’t want to see his side turned over.

A draw would also be enough for Gillingham if Hartlepool lose to Salford.

Harris added: “If they get promoted by hook or by crook, that’s fine, but I don’t want them to come here and beat us to get promoted, so for us it’s to put in the same level of performance (as against Stockport in Saturday’s 1-1 draw).

“The atmosphere will be great. The fans at Priestfield, they respond to the opponent as well, so if they bring a big following we’ll get a crowd in and it should be a really good semi-local derby, with a lot at stake for both teams.”

Harris spoke in glowing terms of weekend opponents Stockport, arguing they’re the best side he’s seen in the division.

However, it’s Orient who lead the way and, barring a total collapse, they’ll also go up as champions.

The Gills boss is looking forward to another big challenge against Richie Wellens’ side.

“Orient will want the ball,” said Harris. “They’ve got fast players, they’re good on the counter-attack, good on the counter-press and they ask a lot of questions of you.

“They’re a good football team.

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“I’m not being disrespectful to Orient when I say Stockport have been the best team.

“Since November, Stockport have won more points than anybody and have maybe been the best team since then.

“Over the course of the season, the team who wins the league are the best team, so Orient’s going to be another huge challenge.”

Gillingham hope to have striker Ollie Hawkins available after he missed the Stockport draw through illness.