Nicky Southall is as determined as anyone to see Gillingham avoid relegation and his stunning goal on Saturday helped take them a point closer.

The 36-year-old scored from a free-kick in the 1-1 draw at The New Den and with more than 300 appearances for the Gills behind him, he is delighted to be back from injury and helping the survival bid.

“I’m glad to be back playing,” he said. “It’s been a frustrating time for me in the last six or seven weeks with a hamstring injury.

“I love the club and the fans have been fantastic to me and my family over the past few years and I’ll just try and give everything to stay up.

“Gillingham is in my blood now and I want to do my best and keep the team in this league.

“To score at the New Den in front of the Gillingham fans was a fantastic experience and long may it continue.

“I was practicing free-kicks all last week and to see it come off was quite rewarding.

“We don’t care how they go in at the minute, though, as any goal is valuable at this stage of the season.

“When I score one, normally two or three come together, so fingers crossed for next week and the remaining fixtures.”