Martin Allen reflected on Gillingham going top of League 2 after a 1-1 draw against Chesterfield and admitted they were not at their best.

They lead by a point after Oxford, the only other club with a 100 per cent record, slipped up at York, but the draw stopped them equalling their best ever start to a campaign.

Danny Kedwell put the Gills level after Craig Westcarr had punished some sloppy defending to give the visitors the lead.

Allen (pictured) said: "It's early days but after five games it's a fine achievement.

"I don't think we hit top form, didn't quite click into full gear, but we got a point and we are always grateful for every one we get.

"Then the news filtered through that we were top, and I praised all the players afterwards for a fantastic effort.

“I am not just commenting on today's game, but since I have been here everybody has bent over backwards to help me, look after me, and help get the best out of the players.

"I have got no criticism of them whatsoever, they kept going until the end on the back of a fantastic effort against a really good Middlesbrough team on Tuesday night."

Allen added: "I tried something different tactically, part of it worked and some didn't. I have to work on that and decide what the best way is going forward.

"I would never go public about what disappointed me in the game. We know we didn't play as well as we can, but we are not going to play brilliantly every week.

"We have been a credit to ourselves but I still think, me included, we can all do better.”

Allen confirmed that defender Connor Essam has joined Blue Square Bet Premier side Luton on loan.