Mark Byrne’s winner on Saturday was a timely reminder of what he can do.

Gillingham boss Steve Lovell felt that last year’s player-of-the-season had been struggling to make an impact in recent weeks.

But an impressive performance and a well-struck goal against Scunthorpe changed all that.

Lovell, who worked hard to get Byrne to sign a new deal in the summer, said: “Mark has been such a hard-working midfield player and he played in that position (the right side of midfield), which I thought suited him.

“He scored the goal and had another effort later on as well. I thought he had an exceptional game.

“He works hard. The only thing with Mark is that perhaps recently he hasn’t affected the game enough but on Saturday he affected the game, scored the goal that won us the match, apart from that his energy and the way he controlled the midfield with the other two boys was exceptional.”

Lovell also acknowledged the role keeper Tomas Holy played in the win, making two great saves in the opening half.

“They were brilliant saves,” he said. “The one down to his left was a big point for us that he saved and the one up the top corner was exceptional.

"That was a really good strike. I think it would have been harsh for us to have conceded, but the way things have gone, it wouldn’t have been a surprise.

“Tomas made two really good saves to keep us in the game and I am really pleased for him that we have kept a clean sheet.”