Gillingham’s battling draw against Swindon can be the platform to ignite the season, hopes manager Neil Harris.

The Gills played with 10 men last Saturday after the early dismissal of loan defender Haji Mnoga, but despite the disadvantage, Harris’ team ground out a goalless draw - and even had chances to win.

A trip to Crawley awaits this Saturday as the Gills look to start climbing the League 2 table from their position of 21st and begin scoring some goals, with just one from their opening seven league games.

Harris said: “The biggest part of all of it is the character and professionalism and I have questioned my changing room about coming together quickly enough and the character in it, but I have said to them, ‘that is the starting point for us, stand strong like that’.

“The lads have shown they can do it, that is the standards I expect every game.

“I came in last season during a difficult time and we put in some strong performances. When the chips were down, I was proud of so much last year when I took over, this year certainly [that was the most proud I have been].

“The dressing room has made a statement that they can produce that level of performance, they can dig in and show their character when they need to. It was a really strong performance and proud is the word I would use.

“I have seen enough to know I have quality in the group and a winning mentality in the group. Without picking up the three points, we showed a winning mentality to say, ‘we are not going to get beat’, and sometimes when you are searching for form, you have to make sure you have that mentality.

“I know we can score goals, I know we can be creative, I know we can beat good teams. We have shown in every game we are a good team, we are just falling at the wrong side in both boxes, but I have seen a lot of positives.”

The Gills will be without Mnoga at Crawley following his dismissal but Cheye Alexander could come into the group after being left out of the squad for the Swindon match.

Robbie McKenzie, who rejoined the club last week, could also be available. He too is a natural replacement for the right-back role, but he has not played a competitive game after leaving in the summer.

It may also be a chance for goalkeeper Jake Turner to make his debut for Gills in the league as regular starter Glenn Morris is ineligible to play because of the terms of his loan from weekend opponents Crawley.