Brandon Hanlan’s performance left Gillingham boss Steve Lovell in awe on Saturday.

The forward thrilled the home crowd on his debut performance at Priestfield as the Gills beat Burton Albion 3-1.

Hanlan hit the woodwork twice and had a number of shots saved during an all-action display.

Lovell said: “He was magnificent. He was unplayable, they didn’t know how to handle him.

“They couldn’t play against him, he was superb and the only disappointing thing was that he didn’t get a goal, but he is a handful.

“He had a hand in most of the things we did, going forward. He is strong, quick and intelligent – the only thing was he didn’t finish (his own chances) off. On another day he could have had three or four.

“I have known him since he was 12 or 13, same as Regan Charles-Cook. I could see the potential. Sometimes people are afraid to give people a chance but I’m not because I know what they can do, what their character is and what they can bring to a team.

"Regan and Brandon were brilliant again.”

Burton manager Nigel Clough admitted their defenders couldn’t cope with Gills’ pace.

“Not many people will,” said Lovell.

“If you have pace and you can run, then most centre halves don’t like that. What they tend to do is drop off but we then have players who like to play in front.

"We have plans in behind or in front, whatever happens. We work on it every day to try and cause problems for the opposition.”