by Luke Cawdell

Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler will be putting sentiment aside as he plots Barnet’s downfall this weekend.

The Gills boss ended his professional playing career at Barnet but knows his side need maximum points against their relegation-threatened visitors at Priestfield on Saturday.

Gillingham are clinging on to faint hopes of automatic promotion while Barnet need points just as badly to avoid the drop into non-league football.

Hessenthaler (pictured) said: "Barnet are still fighting for their lives and are going to make it difficult for us. It’s not going to be easy.

"In a way it’s a shame it’s Barnet because I finished my career there and had a good time.

"I went there when they were struggling in the same division and we managed to stay up, which was great and then spent another year there.

"I have a lot of time for the club. It’s just a shame that if we get a win, although it might not put them down, it won’t help."

A busy Easter period sees the Gills travel to play-off chasing Rotherham on Monday (3pm kick-off).

"It will be nice to think we can get maximum points and that’s what we will be aiming to do," added Hessenthaler.

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