by Luke Cawdell

Andy Frampton believes there is reason to be optimistic at Priestfield, despite missing out on promotion.

The 32-year-old Gillingham captain, pictured, believes the side are ending the season on and off the field in a way that suggests they could be well positioned to fight at the top end of League 2 next year.

Frampton said: “It’s hard to take for us because we think that there is something happening in that changing room now and it’s a good thing.

“We are almost there. In the last six or seven games we have felt as a group a lot tighter, in a football sense as well, we haven’t been conceding as many and were working well towards getting the goals. It is a shame we have run out of games.

“If you take certain chunks out of the season you will see we are a very good side and we should have been in that promotion chase.

“I came here to get promoted with Gillingham and I am very disappointed we haven’t been able to do that. Hopefully next year we will be able to do it.”

One area that has looked better is the central defensive combination of Frampton and teenager Connor Essam.

“It’s a good partnership in my eyes and it’s something that can be nurtured,” said the former Millwall player.

“Connor is a good player and the coaching that he is getting now, and hopefully pointers I can help him with he will take on board, because he wants to learn and he will do very well."

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