Boss Justin Edinburgh hailed the team spirit that has helped propel Gillingham to the top of League 1.

Edinburgh’s young side registered their fourth straight home win on Saturday against Blackpool to maintain their position at the summit.

The Gills boss, who has only lost four league games since taking charge in February, said: “You need good players but you need team spirit to go along with that and we definitely have it.

“Ask any person that has won anything in football and that would be the catalyst. This is a young group, but very together and willing to go that extra distance for one another.”

Edinburgh highlighted how the team’s pre-season trip to France helped instil that team spirit.

He said: “That was a good week, we worked ever so hard and after signing so many players in a short space of time it helps when you can have those players living with each other.

“We were beaten 6-1 by a local team (Amiens) and it was a blessing in disguise. We really did get put to the sword and it was a little bit of a wake-up call to a group that had finished the season well. Perhaps they were thinking they had accomplished something before they actually had.

“It is all about getting to know your team-mates and people you perhaps wouldn’t room with or socialise with.

“That trip has given us that impetus and momentum to go forward.”

Read the full story in Monday's Medway Messenger