Manager John Coleman has expressed his disappointment that Gillingham only came away from Tranmere Rovers with a point.

It was the first point gained under Coleman’s stewardship after taking over from Mark Bonner and despite having coming from behind to claim a 1-1 draw, the boss felt his side should have done better in Saturday’s League Two clash.

He said after the game: “I thought that we could have been better. I must thank the travelling fans. They were fantastic coming in their numbers for such a long way, so a big thank you for that. I thought that we could have done better for them. It took us half an hour to wake up.”

“We let them get in too easily three or four times in the first half, and one culminated in a goal.”

“In the second half, I thought we really stepped it up in the first ten minutes, and I thought that we were going to go on and win the game. Then, we hit a bit of a brick wall, and they got a second wind.”

“They put a lot of balls in our box while neither team looked like scoring. I thought that Robbie (McKenzie) had pinched it at the end with the deflection. He had a good chance with a header at the back post as well.”

“Overall, without playing at what I would say is our best, you’d have to be happy coming away with a point. Once you get to know me, you know that I am not pleased with points. I want to win games. I want to get back to winning ways. We have got to build on it and try to get better. “

Meanwhile, Coleman has offered a warning to his current squad after another lacklustre display that leaves The Gills sitting 17th in the league:

“The players have got to realise that there’s a responsibility. First and foremost, for the fans who pay their hard-earned money, but to themselves and their teammates. It should be a dream to be a professional footballer, not a chore.”

“We have got players who can lift us just with the way that they play. They have got to shine to the front. People have got to start emulating with their work rate, energy and effort.”

“People have got to start stepping up to the plate. If they don’t, other players will be brought in to step up to the plate.”

Coleman handed debuts to both Jimmy-Jay Morgan and Nelson Khumbeni with the former forced off with an injury in the second half, but the manager was pleased with what he saw from both:

“I thought that young Jimmy (Jay Morgan) had a good debut. He shows that he’s a Gillingham-type player. He’s got heart, wants to work and wants to run. I think that the fans will love him. I cannot wait for the home fans to see him play.”

“I thought that he was very bright and showed a lot of heart. I think that people were expecting him to be a bit of a pushover, but he was feisty and put himself about. I think that he will be a really good signing for us.”

“Nelson (Khumbeni) felt his way into the game. He got stronger as the game went on and sort of understood the role a bit better. We decided to make a change because we wanted to get a bit more of an aerial presence in the midfield with Robbie (McKenzie).”

Asher Agbinone missed Saturday’s game with a back injury, but should be fit enough to take his place in the squad for Tuesday night’s visit to Grimsby Town with Jimmy-Jay Morgan expected to be fine to play despite getting a cut on his foot at Tranmere.