Gillingham manager Neil Harris admitted not enough players took the opportunity given to them on Wednesday night.

The Gills’ midweek Papa John’s Trophy match was a chance for some of his fringe players to show they deserved a place in his starting XI against Swindon Town in League 2 on Saturday.

• Report: Charlton 3 Gillingham 0

Harris made seven changes for the match against a Charlton side which was mainly made up of youngsters. The youthful hosts ran out 3-0 winners at The Valley.

“I think some players will be disappointed with their performances,” Harris said of his men.

“Five or six lads came into the team and (I said to them) it is an opportunity to grab a shirt. I was disappointed in individuals that they haven’t probably done that, however, again it is important that people do get the minutes in their legs because it is a long season.

“I’m disappointed because we have lost a game of football again, that’s all.

“We made chances, which was a positive, we haven’t scored, (I am) disappointed with the goals we have conceded, of course, I don’t think we quite did enough defensively to stop them, but it looks like we came through unscathed which is important as well.

“I thought Charlton were very good with the ball at times. We went with a back four because we didn’t want to play Max (Ehmer) again, for another game, we went for four to have a look and with the personnel in the team as well.

"At times, early on, we were bright with the ball, should have been infront, created some really good opportunities, couldn’t get on the scoresheet again, but then I thought they were clinical when they got their chances.

“I used it as an exercise to give people minutes to be honest, that is the bottom line.”

It’s still six games now without a goal for the Gills.

They created a handful of good chances against Charlton, Alex MacDonald putting a good one wide early on while goalless and Mikael Mandron failing to make the most of an opportunity late in the game.

“I think it is (a lack of) confidence in the team,” said the manager.

“We have lost some games, two cup games we have got through in, this was an opportunity for people to grab a shirt, I don’t think enough players did that to be honest.

“Some players have been on the fringes and are finding their way, they just didn’t quite step up to the levels.

“I think we lack a bit of confidence as a group and I have got to find that from within before Saturday (against Swindon) as it’s a huge game, an important one to us as a football club, for our fanbase, I know that. We have to find that before Saturday for sure.”