Gillingham boss Ady Pennock said his side did not deserve to lose in the manner they did after falling to a 3-0 defeat at Charlton.

The Gills created a host of chances but fell a goal behind after 20 minutes through Jason Pearce’s first goal for the Addicks.

Ricky Holmes then extended the home side’s lead with a lovely free-kick, while Josh Magennis added a third in the second half to seal an impressive performance by the hosts.

Pennock claimed his side’s inability to convert their chances was behind their failure to take any points.

“We weren’t ruthless in our box and they were,” said the former Forest Green Rovers manager.

“I felt we played well for large parts, but didn’t make the most of it.

“We needed to do better when we had the majority of the play. They did and that was the issue.

“Cody McDonald scored two fantastic goals on Friday but he missed a few here.”

The result leaves Gillingham four points above the drop zone, but Pennock believes they still have enough to retain their League One status.

He added: “We have to beat Fleetwood on Saturday, then we will be sitting much better than we are.

“We want to stay in the division and have a very good opportunity to do so.

“I’m a fan too. We are all feeling it. We have to take it on the chin and that’s football, you have to have a thick skin in this industry.

“Belief is still there in the dressing room. The old fat lady isn’t even clearing her voice at the moment.”

Charlton boss Karl Robinson conceded his side rode their luck at times during the match.

“I thought they had too many chances, they missed a lot,” said the former Milton Keynes Dons manager.

“They came here with a bit of form, you knew that they were going to be up for it with the support behind them.

“But they came here to finish above us. We rode our luck, but when they missed their chances we did well to seal the win.”

Charlton are now nine points above the relegation zone, but Robinson added: “It’s not embarrassing where we are, it just should not be the case.

“We now need to try to keep the run going. I just hope the players can continue to build on this run.

“The realisation of where we are has helped make the players fight more. We just have to focus now on Saturday and seal our status with victory against Chesterfield.”

 

Charlton Athletic line up: Rudd, Byrne, Pearce, Bauer, Dasilva, Crofts, Konsa (Jackson 80), Forster-Caskey (Aribo 88), Botaka (Ahearne-Grant 75), Holmes, Magennis.

Subs not used: Phillips, Jackson, Watt, Ulvestad, Teixeira.

Goals: Pearce (20), Holmes (31), Magennis (54).

Booked: Magennis (60), Byrne (85).

Gillingham line up: Holy, Jackson, Martin (Osadebe 82), Ehmer, Oshilaja, Hessenthaler, Wright, Cornick (Parker H/T), Dack, Quigley (Donnelly H/T), McDonald.

Subs not used: Nelson, Herd, Muldoon, Rehman.

Booked: McDonald (28), Ehmer (30), Martin (41).

Referee: Mr Brett Huxtable

Attendance: 12,449 (2,185)