Andy Hessenthaler was fuming after watching his Gillingham team capitulate against Accrington to concede four goals for the second weekend in succession.

After losing 4-3 against AFC Wimbledon last Saturday, the Gills were again on the wrong end of the odd goal in seven at the Crown Ground.

The Gills boss had emphasised the importance of keeping tight at the back in the build-up to the fixture, but his plans were torn to pieces as it took just 45 seconds for Michael Smith to score the first goal of his hat-trick which helped Stanley into a 4-1 half-time lead.

Hessenthaler told BBC Radio Kent: “We worked this week on defending as a group and we went out there and did the opposite to what we’ve worked on all week. I was speechless at half-time and we didn’t see that coming.

“I’m not just blaming the back four, it’s about the whole team. The goals we conceded in the first half came when we had the ball.

“If people are not going to listen to what we want them to do and what we are telling them leading up to a game, then they won’t be in the team. It’s not acceptable.”

Hessenthaler surprisingly made just the one change to the side that lost to AFC Wimbledon with skipper Andy Frampton coming back into the side at the expense of Matt Lawrence.

The first forty five minutes was almost one way traffic and yet again Gillingham showed an inability to deal with simple solutions defensively.

Ross Flitney paid the ultimate price as a goalkeeper and was hauled off at half-time, his place going to Paulo Gazzaniga who came on for his league debut.

Gazzaniga is now expected to be handed his chance in the starting eleven, whilst Hessenthaler will spend the next week deciding who else to replace in his side.

With the transfer window closing on Tuesday night, time is not on the Gills boss’ side if he wants to bring in any new faces, however he may now reconsider his decision not to bring in West Ham United defender Matt Fry on loan.

Hessenthaler also confirmed after Saturday’s game that anyone that made the trip to Accrington (of which there were 261) would be compensated by the team, Hessenthaler and his staff.

How that will work logistically is yet to be worked out as many fans paid at the gate, without receiving a ticket. Many will want the cost of their travel covered along with the £6 most paid to get in.

Picture by Jack Gracie