Manager Neil Harris was pleased with what he saw from Gillingham’s depleted side in their friendly win at Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday - but wants them to be more clinical.

Defender Shadrach Ogie netted in the second half as the Gills rounded off their pre-season with a 1-0 success against their National League hosts.

They did so without Shaun Williams, Jonny Williams, Conor Masterson, Oli Hawkins and Will Wright - just seven days before they start the competitive action at much-fancied Stockport next Saturday.

Harris said: “Pre-season is never about results, we know that, but it’s nice to finish on a positive.

“A positive for us was that we were light of players today due to different circumstances, and we picked a team and a formation accordingly to look at some combinations. On the whole, I thought we grew into the game.

“We were very bitty for 20 minutes but, then, we completely controlled it until probably about the 70-minute mark.

“My only gripe with the lads was that we’ve got to be more clinical. We’ve had four or five gilt-edged chances, where we’ve not put the ball in the net.

“If you don’t take those opportunities during the league season, it will come back and bite you on the bum at some stage. It could have today.

“Jake [Turner, Gillingham’s goalkeeper] has had to make a good save, we’ve had to deal with some balls in our box but, on the whole, it was a great exercise for us.

“I’m really pleased Dagenham hosted us and we’ve got ourselves in the best possible shape for Stockport.”

Asked if any of those sidelined would come into contention for their trip to Greater Manchester, Harris replied: “I don’t know.

“No one will train before the end of the week, so I don’t know.

“It’s disappointing because, pretty much, we’ve had a fully-fit squad - other than losing Lewis Walker on day one.

“Obviously losing Oli Hawkins in Italy was a blow. But other than Oli, we’ve been pretty good, everyone has trained pretty much every single day, until right at the last knockings.

“The Cambridge game in midweek [a 4-0 loss in a behind-closed-doors match] really became a bit of a problem.

“We have lost a couple but that’s what you have a group and a squad for, so we’ve just got to adapt.”

There was also a first start for striker Ashley Nadesan at Dagenham, signed in the week for an undisclosed fee from League 2 rivals Crawley.

“He got through 90 minutes - that was the main thing,” Harris noted. “Nadders is a quick, direct, striker, who likes to play off the shoulder.

“I know his strengths, I know his weaknesses. It’s my job to try and improve his weaknesses, and try and enhance his strengths within the team.

“It’s important that we have got a mix of strikers. It’s important that we have got a blend to our team where - if we want to change shape at the hour mark, like I did today - then absolutely fine.

“That’s what pre-season is for.”

Gillingham’s first team now have completed their warm-up programme but have a game at Sittingbourne on Tuesday if anyone’s in need of extra minutes or is in a position to prove their fitness.