Andy Hessenthaler aims to follow the blueprint set by former manager Tony Pulis in a bid to make Priestfield a fortress.

The Gillingham boss admits that may mean direct football but he is willing to sacrifice quality for results as he strives for promotion from League 2.

Pulis achieved that feat from the basement division in 1996 and has gone on to make Stoke City a solid Premier League outfit.

"This place is not conducive to fantastic, free-flowing football," said Hessenthaler.

"Over the years it has been a hard-working ground where you have to roll your sleeves up. Sometimes you need to play a little direct, get the ball in the opposition’s half, keep it in there and show that quality in the final third.

"Maybe that’s where we are going wrong a bit. When you think about the Tony Pulis days in this division, how did they play? They never played free-flowing football.

"They were hard working and they got it up there to the big lads and worked off the bits and got goals.

"I am not saying we are just going to lump the ball all of the time – we need to mix the game up.

"When we have gone forward at home over the last few games, it has come straight back because of the shape.

"Now we have two targets to hit (with Frank Nouble signing) and hopefully that will be better for us."

Hessenthaler, whose side registered a club-record Football League away win at Hereford last weekend, pits his team against Burton at Priestfield on Saturday.

"If we can get a win on Saturday then, we are only three points off our target for the month," said the Gills boss.

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