Gillingham 1 Burnley 0

GILLINGHAM assistant boss Ronnie Jepson believes the improved collective spirit within the club is the reason behind their excellent form.

Victory over Burnley on Saturday saw the Gills climb to 18th in the Championship, two points clear of the drop zone.

Darius Henderson’s 56th-minute winner made it eight games unbeaten for the side.

Henderson is one of several players making major improvements under Stan Ternent’s leadership, but Jepson was keen to emphasise the collective effort that has seen Gills climb to their best position since mid-September.

He said: "We got a great goal from Darius, he had another chance to make it 2-0 which we could have done with and relaxed a little bit, but it didn’t go in. He’s been a key player, but we always go on the team and don’t really go so much as individuals.

"We do everything collectively and that’s what we’ve been trying to get over to the lads since we’ve been here, and they’re doing that in abundance."

The turnaround in results has seen the Gills become the Championship’s form team, but it comes as no surprise to Jepson.

He said: "The gaffer sets high standards. Credit to the lads they’ve managed to maintain those standards. Other than the Leicester City game away and the first-half at Watford, we’ve done well."

On Saturday’s performance Jepson enthused: "It was an excellent three points and a tough game. We were a little bit nervous in the first-half. Second-half I thought we were a lot better and got the rewards."

With home matches against strugglers Crewe and Cardiff, together with an end-of-season trip to Nottingham Forest to come, Ternent and Jepson now look more than capable of completing their mission and keeping Gills in the Championship.

The former Burnley pair received a warm reception from the visiting fans on Saturday, but while appreciating the sentiment Jepson stated that they only had one thing in mind.

He said: "The gaffer and I had great times at Burnley, we hope they go on and do well, but it was all about the three points today, it wasn’t about Burnley.

"Stan got a fantastic reception and they were very kind to us, but you wouldn’t expect anything else because Stan picked that club up off the floor when he went there."

GILLS JURY

"NOT the best game you will ever see, but at this stage of the season the entertainment factor goes out of the window.

"The build-up play to Henderson’s goal was superb, but the player who stood out for me was Ian Cox. Since Stan has arrived he, along with the rest of the squad, has grown in confidence." (Keith Pestell, Rainham)
Star man: Ian Cox
Team rating: 7

"WE ARE battling so well, even when the chips are down, that I now feel confident we will stay up. I think if we win what will be a very hard game on Saturday against Crewe we will be safe after all this worry.

"Paul Smith was my man-of-the-match. Since Ternent arrived he has been inspired." (Pam Humphreys, Gillingham)
Star man: Paul Smith
Team rating: 8

"I EXPECTED us to beat Burnley as I felt they had nothing to play for. I think Mamady Sidibe had a good game and really seemed to cause the Burnley back-four problems." (Steve Wildgoose, Enfield)
Star man: Darius Henderson
Team rating: 8

"WE LOOKED a bit nervous in the first-half, wanting to win but equally not wanting to lose. I’m so glad the Blackburn boys stayed with us because they have made all the difference and I think a win at home against Crewe on Saturday should be enough for safety." (Alan Jones, Strood)
Star man: Ian Cox
Team rating: 7

Related articles:

Gills v Burnley: match report
Gillingham v Burnley: how the players rated
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