If Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth didn’t know there was work to do before the Luton Town game at the weekend, he did after the final whistle blew.

His side were competitive in the first half before conceding just before half time and twice further in the second half.

With a number of first team players missing and an emergency loan keeper arriving before kick-off Ainsworth knows that there is some work to do before the league gets underway next weekend.

Speaking to the official siter after the Luton game, Ainsworth said: “We were okay, but not at full tilt today. I felt that there was a little bit of pre-season still about us. I am glad that it has happened today in the Carabao Cup because I think that Luton are a super team. I think that they will beat most teams in both of the bottom leagues.

“I think that they will be in the Championship come 27/28. I really do believe that, because I thought that they were very good at settling the ball, they had pace in their team, and the subs who came on strengthened them, if anything. 

“We were a little bit easy to score against, and I don’t want that. We have to be more resilient, more tenacious, win every header, win every tackle, and win everything. There were some decent performances in there. Some real eye openers, and we had a few senior debuts today, with Logan Dobbs, Zane Albarus and Conor McManus. They were making senior football leaps, which is big for them. Will Goodwin, as well, needs to get a run of games.

“I am okay with that. I am not too down, but I will be going through the video and making sure that we’re not too easy to score against. 

“I knew that chances would be few and far between today because they are such a good side… It’s onto next week now and Walsall.”

Speaking about the decision to bring in an emergency loan keeper, something he spoke about during pre-season Ainsworth added:

“He trained a lot with us in the last couple of days, but not a lot when you consider that he has not been here for pre-season. There are all sorts of protocols that you have to go through to get an emergency loan in. Proving that your keeper is injured and you haven’t got anyone who has played more than five league games. There are all of these rules that apply for emergency loans. 

“I felt for him because he has only come in a couple of days, and he has done fine.”

The manager is hopeful having some players back for the league kick-off next weekend, he said: “We get some players back next week. Liam Gordon served a one-match suspension that carried over from Scotland, which hurt us.

“Obviously, Ollie Wright is getting closer and closer, Armani Little, Garath McCleary, Bradley Dack and Cameron Antwi. We have got quite a few coming back, even Ethan Coleman. 

“We have got players coming back who are experienced that I think will make us tougher and stronger. 

“We might have to go through a bit of inexperience on the pitch at times just to get these players up to minutes and to know what is happening, but I thought that they did okay. I am pleased with some of the young boys. I think that the pre-season has been quite good, and I think that you will be seeing a few of them throughout the season.”