Captain Lee Martin saluted the efforts of his team-mates after victory over Charlton.

The Gills were two goals up at the break on New Year’s Day but faced a barrage in the second half, holding on for a 2-1 win.

“The boys were brilliant,” said the midfielder.

“We had to ride the storm but that was inevitable. We were up against a good team, with good players but we stood up to the test.”

Martin was unable to see the game out, leaving the field in the second half still suffering the effects of a sickness bug.

He said: “I felt terrible. I had the sickness bug for four days. It was constant. I got cramp straight after half-time. I was trying to get through it but I was just pleased I could help out and get the three points.

“We were brilliant and the lads hung on right to the death.”

Striker Tom Eaves returned to the side, setting up the opener for Josh Parker and scoring what turned out to be the winning goal.

Martin said: “He was a handful.He was a bit off it and he would be the first to admit it at Carlisle.

“I had a quiet word with him and said, ‘keep your head up, you have been brilliant for us, don’t get down’. He came back and has been brilliant.

“That is the type of player he is. He is a confidence player and if you can get him on the way up, then we need to keep him there.”

Martin was also back in the team after illness had kept him out of Saturday’s AFC Wimbledon match. Before that he had faced criticism from some fans after his patchy performance against Oxford.

He said: “I don’t like getting jeered but it was a difficult day. I did a couple of bad things but I wouldn’t say I was terrible.

“People have opinions but I have got a strong enough back to deal with that stuff. I would rather it was me than anyone else in that team.

“I know what I am capable of and I held my hands up, I didn’t have a great game.

“I do think supporters should be with the players. I didn’t go out there to make mistakes. (At Charlton) they were brilliant.”

Gills moved up to 15th after the win and Martin isn’t ruling anything out this season.

He said: “Parks came out with a statement saying the play-offs (were possible) and some people might have thought it was ridiculous but why not dream big?

“If we fall short, we fall short but you have to have dreams.”