Gills Captain apologises for display

After watching his side scrape to a dramatic victory over Northampton on Saturday, Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler has praised his captain Andy Frampton for outwardly apologising for his own performance. Frampton reacted swiftly to his own display by apologising to each one of his team-mates after the drama had concluded, earning praise from Hessenthaler. He said, “He went round and apologised to all the players and that he got out of jail with our forwards. I don't mind players like that, he's honest. I like honest players.”

Gillingham had taken a 3-1 lead into the break thanks to a first half hat-trick from on loan, front man Jo Kuffour, but surrendered their two goal advantage early in the second period to seemingly throw away the chance of victory. But Danny Kedwell’s stoppage time penalty ensured all three points for the Londoners to lift them to within two points of the play offs.

It was Frampton’s first start for the Gills since October following a calf injury sustained during their 3-1 defeat to newly-promoted AFC Wimbledon, and Hessenthaler insists his side could have performed much better collectively. He added, “He felt he wasn't on his game. But that's the honesty he's got. I work with players like that week-in week-out and I don't mind that. He wasn't the only one. As a group we could have done better.”