Hat-trick man Tom Eaves was delighted with his weekend haul but gutted he didn’t reach his season target of 20.

Eaves was open about his target this season, wanting to reach the 20-goal mark on his first year at the Gills from his switch from Yeovil.

Speaking after his second treble of the season, he said: “I am delighted but then also thinking maybe I fell short, too.

“On Saturday maybe I could have had a few more. I have had about six goals disallowed and perhaps I could have had a few more but I am delighted and more than anything I have enjoyed myself this season.

“Under the gaffer I feel like I can play with a lot of freedom. You do learn a lot and it is good when the manager has been a striker as well. You take onboard things like staying in the box.

“On Saturday it was the worst I had felt all season physically so I did just stay in the box and I got a couple of goals from it.”

Eaves scored eight goals in the previous campaign at League 2 level. He’s now hoping for more next year.

He said: “I still want to develop and I still want to improve as a player and if I can learn anything from anybody then I will.

“I am fortunate enough to play with a manager who was a goalscorer and he knows what it is like to be in those areas and to be alive in those areas. I want to continue to improve and take it to next season and hopefully reach my goal next season.

“If I can get a good return next season I will be delighted again.”

Not all strikers admit their goal targets before the season starts but Eaves loves the pressure.

“I think I thrive off it,” he said. “It keeps your standards high, it also gives you the drive to think ‘I can do it’. Pressure can sometimes bring out the best in you.

“As a striker you always want more so I am disappointed not to get 20, I really am.”

Finishing with a hat-trick at least meant Eaves ended the season with 18 (17 in the league) to his name, the club’s leading scorer and sitting fifth in the League 1 scoring charts, just one behind former Gills man Bradley Dack.

He said: “It is nice to finish on a high, collectively and personally as well, I am over the moon.

“I did want 20, I really did, it's not to be but I can look at myself in the mirror and know that I gave everything.”