Adrian Pennock was pleased as Gillingham got their League campaign underway with a point at Doncaster Rovers.

Tomas Holy pulled off a string of saves to give the visitors a clean sheet in the goalless draw at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Having seen his new look side battle for the point, Pennock was pleased that Gillingham had shown real character:

“I thought it was a very good game for a 0-0. Both keepers played very well; I thought it was an entertaining game and I’m very pleased that we’ve come here and got a point at a difficult place.

“The supporters were shouting at every decision but we stood our own, created chances and their keeper has pulled off two or three very good saves but we’ll take a point.

“We’ve given a good account of ourselves, showed a lot of heart and desire and it’s a very good point. I’m very proud today.”

Holy was preferred in goal with Tom Hadler named on the bench, whilst the experienced Stuart Nelson was left out of the squad, but Pennock was pleased with how the former had performed:

“He’s a young lad learning his trade and I think everybody wants to see young lads do well.

“We’ve got three good goalkeepers and hopefully Tomas will get a lot of credit for today. I thought he was strong.

“I’m not going to say they won’t make mistakes, every individual will make mistakes because they’re all human beings at the end of the day but I did give him a pat on the back because I thought he was outstanding today and that will give him a lot of confidence.

“We are very blessed to have three good goalkeepers; Tom Hadler has had a terrible injury but has had a good pre-season and Stuart has been a very good professional. I’ve been up front with him but who is to say Stuart won’t play on Tuesday night?”

568 travelling fans made the long trip from Kent, with Pennock full of praise for the big support:

“I’ve got to say the fans were very vocal from the first whistle to the last and we need that, we really do because we’ve got some young players and they need our support because they will be given their chance.

“Thank you for the support today, you were top drawer.”

Tuesday night’s Carabao Cup tie against Reading is next up for The Gills and Pennock hinted there could be changes for the tie:

“That’s going to be a cracker; it’s a lovely stadium as well but we have got a few bumps and bruises. Lee Martin’s got some stitches in his knee; Billy Bingham kicked the bottom of someone’s studs so he’s sore and tender.

“We’ll see what they’re like tomorrow but I’m looking forward to Tuesday and it might give others the opportunity who have not been involved or have been on the bench to give them a go.

“The league is the most important, of course it is, but when you go to places like Reading we don’t want to let ourselves down. I’d love a cup run, I really would but it’s a good occasion for us and we’ll see who is going to be fit, not going to be fit and go from there.”

Bradley Garmston suffered a calf injury on Thursday and Pennock admits his defender could now be out for some time:

“We did a bit of shape and he was doing a bit of 5-a-side and he felt his calf pop which is not good. Minimal six weeks but he’s worked so hard and I feel so sorry for him. He just needs a lucky break and in pre-season he has been top drawer where he has looked quick and powerful. It’s just unlucky but we’ve got to get him going again.”