Practice is paying off for Gillingham under caretaker boss Steve Lovell.

Gills switched formations three times in the first half against Bury on Saturday to finally get going.

It worked, with a late goal from Josh Parker rescuing them a point during a 1-1 draw in League 1, but Gills tinkerman Lovell believes it only happened because of the work they put in behind the scenes.

Lovell said: “I enjoy the challenge and I love seeing problems.

“On the training ground these problems come up and I stop it, I step in and go through the problems.

“If I know the problems I can relate to them and tell them about their roles and responsibilities so they understand what is needed. All the hard work is done Monday to Friday, the enjoyment comes Saturday.

“If you get it right through the week then you are all right.

“We didn’t win but it was a good performance, second half particularly.

“We tried to change it, the first change didn’t work and then we went to three at the back. We got there in the end.

“You have to tinker with things, but these are the things the boys do understand and is why I keep saying, your work is done on the training ground.

“We work on these different formations so when it is called upon they can do it. That is what pleased me more than anything.”

With AFC Wimbledon not playing until the following day, the Gills temporarily climbed to 21st in the table but, more importantly for Lovell, gained another point.

He said: “It is mainly about points than positions. We got a point and I said to the boys, ‘I can’t wait for next Saturday’. I wanted a midweek game.

“I enjoy watching them play and enjoy the challenge that is thrown at us in games. It is about what we have to do tactically. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t.

“We changed it once in the first half and it didn’t work but I’ll keep changing until I get it right. There is no point hanging on.”