Confidence is key for Gillingham midfielder Dean Parrett.

The Gills are finding their feet in League 1 after away wins against Bristol Rovers and Scunthorpe – two teams below them in the table.

Parrett believes they are finding the right mix after a stop-start campaign so far.

“Football is a confidence game and we’re starting to build that confidence now,” he said.

“We felt from the start of the season that we can beat anyone in this league, we’ve got the players to do it.

“It’s about putting all the little pieces in place and it feels we’re starting to get the puzzle right.”

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell has spoken about pressing the ball high up the pitch, and Parrett certainly buys into his manager’s way of thinking.

“It was a solid performance from back to front,” he added.

“Everyone worked their socks off and we deserved the win. We had to focus on ourselves and make sure we were on it from the start.

“The higher up you win it, the quicker it is (to get to) goal. We did it really well. I could go round the whole team and say everyone put in a good performance.”

Parrett was on the end of two crunching challenges at the start of the second half.

But he responded in the best way possible, firing in a shot against the post during the build-up to the first goal – and then bagging his first Gills goal just two minutes later.

The former AFC Wimbledon midfielder said: “When we were walking back (after the first goal), I said to Eavesy that I was gutted about that one (that hit the post), but then I patted him on the back and said ‘well done’.

“It’s massive in every game, the first goal. Then you have to build on it. It’s all right scoring but if we concede straight away then we’re back to square one.

“I was getting some stick from the home fans who were saying I was cheating. They caught me a couple of times but that’s what happens in football.”

Parrett’s strike was certainly spectacular, collecting Mark Byrne’s cross before volleying home to give keeper Jak Alnwick no chance.

“Originally I thought it was a bad touch,” claimed Parrett. “But as it came down, it sat up lovely for me and I was just thinking about the connection. I didn’t try to hit it too hard and it came down lovely.

“To be fair, Byrner picked me out lovely. I thought he was going to put it across the goal but he saw me which was nice. After the first touch I thought it was a bit high but I just struck it.

“I was gutted about the first one (that hit the post) as I thought it wasn’t going to be my day but I’m happy to get on the scoresheet.”