Allen unafraid to alter his winning team

Npower League Two leaders Gillingham opened up a seven point lead at the top of the table following Saturday’s last gasp victory over Morecambe, but manager Martin Allen has stated he will continue to rotate his starting line-up despite his side’s strong start to the campaign.

Deon Burton struck three minutes into stoppage time to extend the Gills’ unbeaten run to five games, leaving Allen to praise his side’s character.

Speaking to the club‘s website Allen said: “The credit has got to go to the players. They are the ones who do it.

“I only found that out as I walked into the media room, someone told me we have gone seven points clear and that’s quite amazing.”

Match winner Burton came on as a substitute with a quarter of the match remaining, the Gillingham boss believes strength in depth is a key part of the Kent club’s success so far this season.

He added: “Never say never - to have people like Deon Burton, Myles Weston with Charlie Allen and Charlie Lee on the bench - what a difference they all make when they come on.

“In modern football your subs have to be quality, they have to be powerful, and thankfully we've got them here. We have match winners sitting on our bench so it was a difficult one with which player to put on.”

The former Notts County and Barnet boss is set to freshen things up once again for the visit of Exeter City on Tuesday evening.

He continued: “It's up to us to raise our game. We have to play well.

“We'll make a lot more changes on Tuesday night to freshen it up and bring some of those people sitting on the bench to come and play.”

Following the visit of the Grecians the Gills make the long trip north to face Accrington Stanley, before an FA Cup second round meeting with Preston the weekend after.

Allen’s managerial experience and approach have certainly served Gillingham well so far, but it will be interesting to see whether the Kent club can continue to dominate at the top of League Two going into the New Year.