Adebayo Akinfenwa challenged by Morecambe Picture: Barry Goodwin

By Luke Cawdell

Manager Andy Hessenthaler insists the race for automatic promotion isn’t over, despite Gillingham dropping valuable home points on Saturday.

Following the 1-1 draw with Morecambe the Gills ended the weekend five points off the top three places in League 2, with four games left to play, but manager Hessenthaler hasn’t given up hope just yet.

He said: "If we win our next game and then win at Rotherham and other teams slip up, then who knows? It’s not over yet.

"Some people say we shouldn’t be talking like that but you have to. All the time we have a chance we will keep trying to push for that third spot.

"We have to think positively. There are 12 points available and if we go and win our next two, and Wycombe and Shrewsbury slip up, then all of a sudden it looks better for us."

Results elsewhere were kind for the Gills and they finished the weekend in the same position as they started it, albeit with one game less to play.

"The players have got to go for it and they have to do that next week," said Hessenthaler.

"Everything stays the same, other than Bury, who look like they are going to get that second slot and fair play to them.

"We’re five points away (from third place), which it was at the start, and we are frustrated because we could have made that three.

"The boys are quite upbeat but a little disappointed after the game that we haven’t got three points."

Do you share Andy Hessenthaler's belief that automatic promotion is still possible? Have your say below.