Six defeats on the run had seen the side slip to thirteenth in League Two and although the point against the Millers doesn’t see them climb the table, Hessenthaler feels it could be a turning point, telling the club’s official website:

“I think it’s a really big point because of the run we have been on and the pressure we have put on ourselves and all in all it was maybe a fair result,” Hessenthaler said.

“We are all under pressure because we want to achieve something but I was proud of the boys. We did lose our way a little bit in the second half but I thought we made the better chances.”

As for the future, Hessenthaler had nothing but praise for the likes of Connor Essam, Jack Evans and Paulo Gazzaniga:

“I am excited by what I saw out there especially from the young ones who started and the future of the club was out there. I was delighted with the whole back four, I think this result will give them a lift and I thanked them for their efforts, but the young ones were playing without fear.

“It has been doom and gloom and we’re still not happy with where we are but we need to put on a run to put ourselves in for the play-offs. People might laugh but I think with 16 games to go anything can happen.”

Indeed, The Gills could go on a run starting against Torquay United at Priestfield on Saturday. They will go into the weekend, eight points off the play-off places, but with a game in hand.

Automatic promotion is now out the window with the side some seventeen points adrift of the top three. In fact, they are closer now to the relegation zone than they are the top trio.

One major cause for concern for Gillingham will have been the attendance on Tuesday night. Just 3,248 made it to Priestfield with 57 of them coming from Rotherham.

That’s the lowest league attendance at Priestfield since Paul Scally took over the club in 1995.

Picture by Jack Gracie

The 35 year old heads off to the country of his birth today (Wednesday) to join up with his new team-mates, before flying on to Canberra for a training camp.

A quick stint back at home then follows, before meeting up with the PNG squad for the two week qualifying tournament in Dubai.

Two teams from the sixteen taking part will make it through to the World Twenty 20 over in Sri Lanka in September and October and Jones believes his side have a real chance of making it through:

“I’m really excited about getting outside and putting into practice what I’ve been doing for the past few months. It will be nice to meet my new team-mates and get a bit of sun.”

“I’ve got a few media commitments to do in PNG, but it is all about the work we do in Canberra for our pre-tournament camp.”

“There are some really good sides in the tournament like Ireland, and I’ve played against some of the Hong Kong guys, but you just never know with Twenty 20, anything can happen on the day and if we prepare well, we could be in with a chance.”

For Jones, the trip to Papua New Guinea is about using his experience gained playing 34 Tests for England and he’s hoping to impart some of his knowledge on the team, but as to whether coaching is his career after hanging up the gloves, he’s not so sure:

“I am doing a lot more caoching and have been doing some work with the Academy. It is something I enjoy, but whether or not there is a role for me after cricket, I’m not so sure. I do enjoy working with the young guys, but we’ll have to see.”

There is every chance that Geraint may well be adopting an unfamiliar role in the PNG side, and may not be donning the keeper’s gloves and could well be in the field, but that doesn’t faze Jones:

“I’ve been practicing my catching without the gloves on, so it could be a novel experience for me out in the field.”

Kent’s new Head Coach Jimmy Adams has been in his new role for just a couple of weeks now, but already there is a buzz about Canterbury and Jones told KSN how he felt it was all positive under the West Indian:

“He’s got some real values that he is instlling in us. We’ve had a few meetings and he’s told us what he expects from us as people and as players.”

“He believes in that we should practice as we play and that is bearing fruit.”

Jones is one of a number of senior players out of contract at the end of the summer along with the likes of Darren Stevens and James Tredwell.

The trio are an integral part of Kent Cricket and to lose them would be a huge blow, but Adams told KSN how he was keen to hold onto some of his senior players, much to the relief of Jones:

“That’s nice to know. As part of cricket you need your senior players and we have a value. It would be nce to think that the club want us to stay as we have a squad full of talented youngsters, but you need the senior pros to show them the way and be role models for them.”

The 16 teams taking part are Afghanistan, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Kenya, Namibia, Nepal, Netherlands, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Uganda and the United States.

Afghanistan – Nawroz Mangal (captain), Javed Ahmadi, Merwais Ashraf, Mohammad Nabi, Hamid Hassan, Mohammad Zamir Khan, Mohammad Shahzad, Gulbadin Naib, Shabir Ahmed Noori, Karim Khan Sadeq, Samiullah Shinwari, Dollat Zadran, Noor Ali Zadran, Shapoor Zadran

Bermuda – David Hemp (captain), Jason Anderson, Lional Cann, Fiqre Crockwell, Terryne Fray, Joshua Gilbert, Stefan Kelly, Kamau Leverock, Stephen Outerbridge, Josclyn Pitcher, Samuel Robinson, Curt Stovell, Rodney Trott, Janeiro Tucker

Canada – Jimmy Hansra (captain),Manninder Aulakh, Harvir Baidwan, Rustam Bhatti, Rizwan Cheema, Khurram Chohan, Tyson Gordon, Ruvindu Gunasekera, Zahid Hussain, Nitish Kumar, Henry Osinde, Hiral Patel, Raza Rehman, Junaid Siddiqi

Denmark – Michael Pedersen (captain), Aftab Ahmed, Shehzad Ahmed, Sair Anjum, Bobby Chawla, Basit Javed, Frederik Klokker, Jacob Larsen, Kamran Mahmood, Rizwan Mahmood, James Moniz, Martin Pedersen, Bashir Shah, Hamid Shah

Hong Kong – James Atkinson (captain), Irfan Ahmed, Muhammad Moner Ahmed, Nadeen Ahmed, Waqas Barkat, Babar Hayat, Asif Khan, Mohammad Aizaz Khan, Mohammad Nizakat Khan, Courtney Kruger, Roy Lamsam, Kinchit Shah, Daljeet Singh, Maxwell Tucker

Ireland – William Porterfield (captain), Alex Cusack, George Dockrell, Trent Johnston, Nigel Jones, Ed Joyce, Rory McCann, John Mooney, Kevin O’Brien, Boyd Rankin, Max Sorensen, Paul Stirling, Andrew White, Gary Wilson

Italy – Alessandro Bonora (captain), Gareth Berg, Damian Crowley, Gayashan Munasinghe, Luis Di Giglio, Michael Di Venuto, Dilan S. Fernando, Damian C. K. Fernando, Andrew Northcote, Hayden Patrizi, Dell’agnello, Vincenzo Pennazza, Peter Petricola, Stanly H. J. Samaraweera, Carl Sandri

Kenya – Collins Obuya (captain), Ragheb Aga, Duncan Allan, Tanmay Mishra, James Ngoche, Shem Ngoche, Alex Obanda, David Obuya, Nehemiah Odhiambo, Nelson Odhiambo, Elijah Otieno, Morris Ouma, Rakep Patel, Hiren Varaiya

Namibia – Craig Williams (captain), Sarel Burger, Merwe Erasmus, Hendrick Geldenhuys, Zhivago Groenwald, Louis Klazinga, Christiaan Opperman, Bernard Scholtz, Nicolaas Scholtz, Gerrie Snyman, Ewald Steenkamp, Louis Van Der Westhuizen, Raymond Van Schoor, Christoffel Viljoen

Nepal – Paras Khadka (captain), Pradeep Airee, Mahaboob Alam, Prithu Baskota, Amrit Bhattarai, Shakti Gauchan, Krishna Karki, Paresh Prasad Lohani, Gyanendra Malla, Anil Kumar Mandal, Basant Regmi, Sanjam Regmi, Chandra Sawad, Sharad Vesawkar

Netherlands – Peter Borren (captain), Wesley Barresi, Mudassar Bukhari, Atse Buurman, Tom Cooper, Tom De Grooth, Tim Gruijters, Timm Van Der Gugten, Tom Heggelman, Alexei Kervezee, Ahsan Malik, Stephan Myburgh, Pieter Seelaar, Michael Swart

Oman – Hemal Mehta (captain), Sultan Ahmed, Qais Bin Khalid Al Said, Syed Amir Ali, Adnan Ilyas,Syed Aamir Kaleem, Awal Khan, Farhan Afzal Khan, Ajay Lalcheta, Sufyan Mehmood, Rajeshkumar Ranpura, Zeeshan Ahmed Siddiqi, Jatinder Singh, Vaibhav Wategaonkar

Papua New Guinea – Rarua Dikana (captain), Geraint Jones, Jack Vare-Kevere,  Jason Kila, Willie Gavera, Chris Amini, John Boge Reva, Tony Ura, Assadollah Vala, Chris Kent, Mahuru Dai, Vani Vagi Morea, Joel Tom, Hitolo Areni

Scotland – Gordon Drummond (captain), Richard Berrington, Kyle Coetzer, Joshua Davey, Ryan Flannigan, Gordon Goudie, Majid Haq, Calum Macleod, Preston Mommsen, Matthew Parker, Safayaan Sharif, Jan Stander, Craig Wallace, David Watts

Uganda – Davis Arinaitwe (captain), Arthur Kyobe, Brian Masaba, Deusdedit Muhumuza, Roger Mukasa, Benjamin Musoke, Frank Nsubuga, Jonathan Sebanja, Asadu Seiga, Ronald Semanda, Laurence Sematimba, Henry Ssenyondo, Charles Waiswa, Arthur Ziraba

United States of America – Sushil Nadkarni (captain), Orlando Baker, Adil Bhatti, Ryan Corns, Muhammad Ghous, Elmore Hutchinson, Asif Mehmood Khan, Aditya Mishra, Azrudeen Mohammed, Nauman Mustafa, Abhimanyu Rajp, Gowkaran Roopnarine, Usman Shuja, Steven Taylor

The programme will provide young UK drivers with essential information and coaching on Media, Sport Psychology, Nutrition and much more. The programme is supported strongly by the McRae family and will continue to partner with Stirling University as the venue for our course.

“This is a fantastic opportunity and importantly for young drivers struggling their way up in the sport it is free, not much experience and knowledge comes that way in rallying” said Louise.

The programme is supported by Jimmy McRae Colin’s father and 5 times British Rally Champion, World Rally Champion Co-Driver Robert Reid, World Rally Champion Co-Driver Phil Mills, George Donaldson former National Group N Champion and WRC Team Manager and World Rally Champion Co-Driver Nicky Grist.

Areas covered include:

• Sports Psychology – Mental Skills, Imagery, Relaxation

• Nutrition – Introduction through to Advanced Techniques

• Media Training – Working with the Media

• Fitness for Rallying Performance

• First Aid in Motorsport

• Goal Setting and Planning

• Communication and Sponsorship

• Creating your Winning Team

• Technical and Tactical Aspects

• Forums with top people in our sport

Keeping faith with an unchanged starting eleven from the Port Vale game, Andy Hessenthaler’s side looked tighter at the back, but lacked penetration in front of the worst Priestfield crowd for over ten years in the league.

The game itself started brightly with both sides showing some cutting edge and endeavour with Curtis Weston and Gavin Tomlin trying their luck from distance.

At the other end, the ineperienced Gillingham defence stood firm with Jack Evans, Connor Essam and Simon King showing once again why they deserved their places in the side.

The moment of the half came seven minutes before the break when Lewis Grabban bundled the ball home, only for referee Andy Woolmer to rule it out for handball with the Millers front man booked in the process.

Tomlin had a great chance to win it in the second half when he was one on one with Rotherham keeper Rhys Taylor, but the on loan striker managed to slice his shot just wide of the post.

In truth, neither side really deserved to either win or lose the game and a point ended up being a fair result. Whether it is a point gained or two points dropped for The Gills, only time will tell.

FULL TIME: GILLINGHAM 0-0 ROTHERHAM UNITED

The clean sheet will be something for The Gills to build on when Torquay United come to Priestfield on Saturday afternoon in the second of three home games in a row.

Gillingham line up: Gazzaniga, Evans, Essam, King, Jackman, Tomlin, J Payne, Weston (O Lee 72), Whelpdale, Kuffour, Kedwell.

Subs not used: Hawkes, Martin, Richards, Montrose.

Rotherham line up: R Taylor, Harrison, Taylor, Bradley, Mullins, Grabban, Raynes, Griffiths, Wood, Revell, Harrad (Warne 57).

Subs not used: Warrington, Tonge, Creswell, Pringle.

Booked: Mullins (33), Grabban (37).

Referee: Mr Andy Woolmer

Assts: Mr Craig Hicks & Mr Tim Robinson

Attendance: 3,248 (57 Rotherham)

At Tranmere, Green was switched to the left to cover Jackson’s absence, thus weakening two positions. Last night, Chris Solly’s illness saw Powell play the division’s best left-back, Rhoys Wiggins, on the right with Evina covering on the left. Hughes was brought in by Powell as a right-back and Phil Parkinson once told me that Scott Wagstaff’s engine could ultimately see him emerge as a rampaging full-back. Either of them, as right footers, would have been a better choice to replace Solly.

Green continued on the left flank and Hollands was again further forward than Stephens. When you take into account that Pritchard is more of a central midfielder, you could argue that the whole of the midfield quartet were playing out of position.

Haynes’ damaged hamstring meant a recall for the out-of-form Wright-Phillips up front. The team that took to the field looked horribly disjointed. The lack of real pace – Haynes aside – makes Charlton a fairly easy side to play against. The Addicks’ players are all talented but with the lack of pace and a player who can do something different, they are predictable and, to a certain extent, have been worked out. Also, Jackson’s absence has a profound effect on how the team functions.

Knowing what the opposition is going to do and being able to do something about it are two different things mind. On the night, Rochdale’s honest endeavour was enough. Charlton, as so often of recent times, relied on a set play for their goal.

The goals came in a four minute period, early in the second half. A quick breakaway gave Rochdale a three-on-two situation. Dale skipper, Gary Jones, put in a terrific cross from the right that was badly miscued by Nicky Adams but unfortunately for Charlton, the ball deflected off Rhoys Wiggins and trickled into the left-hand corner of Hamer’s net.

Four minutes later, Kevin Long was booked for hauling Kermorgant down on the edge of the box. The free-kick was in a central area and the Frenchman took it himself, showing great technique to despatch it to the keeper’s right.

Kermorgant and Pritchard were later foiled by Kurucz when they had decent attempts on goal. Wright-Phillips had one early shot that he thundered narrowly wide but also squandered a couple of really good chances.

So a disappointing night that will leave Powell with much to ponder, both in terms of personnel and, more importantly, how and where to utilise them on Saturday against Stevenage, who will pose a real threat.

Charlton: Hamer; Wiggins, Taylor, Morrison, Evina (Cort 82); Pritchard, Stephens, Hollands, Green (Wagstaff 65); Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips (Clarke 72).

Subs (not used): Sullivan, Hayes.

Goal: Kermorgant 57.

Rochdale: Kurucz; Darby, Amankwaah, Long, Widdowson; Jordan, Barry-Murphy, Kennedy, Jones, Adams (Thompson 82); Symes.

Subs (not used): Lucas, Tutte, Holden, Grimes.

Goal: Adams 53.

Booked: Long 56 (foul).

Referee: Fred Graham (Essex).

Attn: 15,067 (121 Rochdale).

And it was hardly the homecoming goalkeeper Lance Cronin might have expected after returning to the club on loan as he took up his position between the sticks in place of suspended Preston Edwards. Elsewhere, Neil Barrett came in for Tom Phipp.

And the visitors, after a gruelling 275-mile, had the temerity to take the lead when Liam Enver-Marum fired home a trademark shot from outside the box. That 15th-minute lead lasted just long enough for Fleetwood to kick off and regroup, Gareth Seddon netting from close range.

Thereafter, the dominant home side turned on the style and raced into a 4-1 lead before half-time. Peter Cavanagh, arriving late in the box made it 2-1 from Alan Goodall’s ball in on 23 minutes, Jamie Vardy added a third five minutes after that as he knocked in a rebound after Cronin parried his initial shot and the same player won a penalty after being brought down by Yado Mambo two minutes before the break. Andy Mangan duly converted that.

The Fleet, who lost Joe Howe to injury on the half-hour mark (to be replaced by Ross Smith), sacrificed the stricken Paul Lorraine at half-time, with Phipp coming on, while Ricky Shakes replaced Nathaniel Pinney. That arrested Fleetwood’s superiority but didn’t eliminate it and Vardy lashed home his second on 48 minutes, curling in a wonderful shot from the right. It got even worse on 58 minutes, Vardy completing his hat-trick with a quite audacious lob over Cronin from the centre circle as Fleet fell 6-1 behind.

With half an hour to go and visions of an even heavier defeat, Fleet hardly needed to see the likes of Richard Brodie and Danny Rose come on, but the visitors managed to stem the flow and even take some edge off the scoreline when Enver-Marum repeated his feat of the first-half with a good shot five minutes from what was a very welcome final whistle.

It was certainly a long way to come “just to lose” as the saying goes, but Fleet must look forward and hope Southport feel the same way come Saturday evening.

TEAM: Edwards, Stone, Howe (Smith 30), Lorraine (Phipp 46), Mambo, Marwa, Barrett, Enver-Marum, Pinney (Shakes 46), Ugwu, Willock.

Subs not used: McNeil, Williams.

Att: 1,411

Havant took the lead after just two minutes as Perry Ryan gave the visitors the lead.

Things got worse for the Wings as Fazakerley was forced off with an injury on the quarter hour mark meaning Scott Kinch got his first team debut a little earlier then he planned.

Just before half time Havant were reduced to 10 men and sensing blood Jamie Day sent on Baker for his first team debut replacing Cracknell.

With 85 minutes on the clock it looked as if Welling were going to lose their unbeaten home record but were handed a penalty. Lee Clarke’s was saved but Baker tucked in the rebound to equalise.

Most Wings fans would have taken the point at this stage but Ben Greenhalgh had other ideas as he scored a brilliant goal to give the Wings the lead just a minute after drawing level.

Welling were not finished as Luis Cumbers completed the scoring to make it 3-1 at full time.

The Wings next travel to Dover on Saturday and move up to third in the table.

Camier was eighth quickest on the GSXR1000 at the two-day Phillip Island, three tenths of a second behind Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes, who leads the way on his Ninja ZX-10R.

“Generally I am pretty happy because we’ve tried a lot of different things and made a lot of progress during these tests. We’ve collected a lot of data and we’ll analyse this over the next day or so to get ready for the race weekend,” he said.

“At the moment, I’m just missing out a little in just one sector of the track and if we can sort this out, I know I can lap quite a bit quicker. The track is always very hard on tyres, but this year it is much bumpier than ever before and that is causing a few problems.

“Nevertheless, I’m very happy with my lap times because I have gone half a second quicker than ever before here. Considering that this is a new bike for me and a new team, I think that’s a pretty good start and very encouraging for the future.

“I feel very comfortable on the bike. It is very rider friendly and doesn’t do anything crazy. I’m going to have a couple of days off now, but I’m already really looking forward to Friday and the first practice.”

Team manager Jack Valentine said he was optimistic for the opening races at the Aussie venue on Sunday.

“I am pretty content overall. It’s been a pretty tough test for us all, but we knew beforehand that it wouldn’t be easy. I am reasonably happy with what we’ve achieved, but would’ve been even happier if we had sorted out Leon’s third sector because that would’ve pushed him quite a bit further up the standings.

“We’ll look at all the data and try and sort it out in Friday’s practice sessions. Leon’s happy on the bike and it shows.”

That would see Simon King start his second game inside four days along with youngsters Connor Essam and Jack Evans.

King was recalled as part of a completely new back four for Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Port Vale although it remains to be seen whether he can handle two games in four days as he continues to manage an ankle injury.

Youngster Connor Essam is likely to keep his place at the heart of defence after making his full league debut, with manager Andy Hessenthaler – who freshened up his XI with a total of five changes – pleased with his new-look side’s performance at Vale Park despite the loss.

The versatile Charlie Lee has recovered from a knee problem and is available, but defenders Andy Frampton and Matt Fish (both ankle) as well as goalkeeper Ross Flitney (knee) continue to miss out.

Oliver Lee is still waiting for his Gills debut having remained as an unused substitute at the weekend, while it remains to be seen whether Matt Lawrence or Dennis Oli will make the matchday 16 having been made available for loan.

Therefore, The Gills could line up like this:

Gazzaniga, Evans, Essam, King, Jackman, Tomlin, J Payne, Weston, Whelpdale, Kuffour, Kedwell.

Subs: Hawkes, Richards, C Lee, Montrose, O Lee.

Meanwhile, Rotherham manager Andy Scott could name the same side for the fourth successive game.

The Millers have been undefeated in their last three encounters, collecting seven points which have propelled them right back into play-off contention.

Scott hinted he would be tempted to freshen things up following Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Burton, with on-loan striker Shaun Harrad one player who could be struggling with fatigue.

But Scott would be loathe to drop Harrad, with the Bury man scoring three goals in his first three appearances in a Millers shirt, though 15-goal top scorer Lewis Grabban will be chomping at the bit to return to the starting XI.

Midfielder Danny Schofield will return to the squad after missing the trip to the Pirelli Stadium with a tooth problem, meaning Gareth Evans (back) and Luke Foster (knee) are the only occupants of the treatment room.

The Millers have a dreadful record at the Priestfield, having not won on their last nine visits, a run stretching back to 1988.

The Addicks have been grinding out results recently, albeit they have been beating top teams. With Kermorgant and Wright-Phillips both experiencing goal droughts, Charlton have struggled to score. Only twice since Boxing Day have they scored more than once, against Brentford on 2 January, when Danny Green scored in added on time, and last Tuesday when Jackson converted two penalties.

The defence has been steadfast and Powell’s team have scored some spectacular goals from outside the area. One telling statistic is that Charlton have scored with shots inside the box only twice in the last twelve matches.

Johnnie Jasckson is again doubtful and Powell was pleased with how Green on the left and Pritchard on the right worked at Tranmere so may well field the same quartet in midfield.

Danny Haynes pulled a hamstring at Prenton Park and will miss out. Bradley Wright-Phillips, woefully short of confidence at the moment, looks set to reclaim his place in the starting line-up.

Powell could send this team out:

Hamer; Solly, Taylor, Morrison, Wiggins; Pritchard, Stephens, Hollands, Green; Kermorgant, Wright-Phillips.

Subs: Sullivan, Cort, Russell, Wagstaff, Clarke.

Fred Graham from Essex will be the referee.

The game gives Charlton the ideal opportunity to return to their more attractive style of play as they bid for another three points.