Gillingham’s Garry Richards has called on his side to improve defensively after they threw away a two goal lead on Saturday.

The home side had led 2-0 and 3-1 against AFC Wimbledon at Priestfield, but defensive lapses saw them concede three goals in the last seventeen minutes to lose 4-3.

Defeat has seen Gillingham slip out of the play-off places into eighth place in League Two and Richards believes his side need to start learning from their errors if they want to secure promotion come the end of the season:

“It’s very, very disappointing in the manner we conceded the goals today as a team. Defensively we switched off for all four goals and it was real schoolboy stuff.”

“It’s time as a team to collectively pull together and be critical. You have to be able to take criticism, we all take the plaudits and pats on the back when they come our way and people are willing to accept them.” Richards told the club’s official website.

Richards himself could find his place in jeopardy when the side next take to the field on Saturday at Accrington Stanley. Gills boss Andy Hessenthaler has promised a shake up in his defence after seeing the errors that cost them so dearly and has stated his desire to recall Connor Essam from his loan spell at Dartford.

With Simon King waiting in the wings, Andy Frampton likely to be fit to make the trip north and Danny Jackman versatile enough to switch to left back, Gillingham could well see an entirely different back four to the quartet that started against AFC Wimbledon.

Picture by Jack Gracie