The good work from Gillingham during 89 minutes against Portsmouth was tarnished by the goal conceded in the last minute, said manager Neil Harris.

Gillingham had fought back to level against League 1 Portsmouth at Priestfield before old-boy Connor Ogilvie headed unopposed inside the box to win it for the visitors.

Report: Gills 1 Portsmouth 2

“I left the group in no uncertain terms about how I felt afterwards,” said the Gills boss.

“It can’t be praise and well done, well done all the time, if you get it wrong, players need to learn. What young players need to learn is the importance of what defending or scoring at the time means, it is people’s livelihoods and on a matchday there might be five or six thousand people there and they go home happy or disappointed on one moment. That is what the group has to learn and my job as a coach to develop them.

“I was delighted with so much stuff but ultimately the bottom line is not today, but in the league season, it is about winning games of football and the learning curve for the group was that we have conceded at the last knockings and that can’t happen during the season.

“Losing with the last kick of the game is not acceptable, we talk about pre-season and getting minutes and how results are irrelevant, they are to a certain degree, but players have to learn quickly that you have to do the right things in football, if they don’t do the right things then they are never going to play in my football team.”

Prior to that late winner for Portsmouth the Gills had competed well, conceding in the first half but pulling level with a goal from Olly Lee, scored direct from a corner kick.

Harris said: “Portsmouth were really good with the ball at times but our shape was excellent and we limited them to very few touches in our penalty area and very few opportunities. Even though they dominated large parts of the game with the football we had the better of the chances throughout.

“I was disappointed with the first goal, every goal we have conceded in pre-season has been our own doing and when we completely change the style of play it is going to happen, but we have to make sure on turnover of possession we are slightly better than we have been, that is just game understanding.

“The importance of the work on the training pitch is vital, players learn quickly and understand what I want from them, some of the play was excellent and to get back on level terms was pleasing, some good individual performances.

“The biggest thing for me is that you don’t lose a game, whether you deserve to win or draw or not, you don’t lose a game in the last seconds.

“What did we learn as a group? First and foremost we looked fit and healthy and nobody has come off with an injury. Max Ehmer (back) should train Monday and that’s a positive for us, we should have a full fit squad come Monday and that is the main thing.

“I have learned about the group and the players, learnt that some of the youngsters can step up and compete and some of them aren’t ready yet but that only happens after seeing them for a period of time. I need to see a better mentality from the group of players, young and senior, that we don’t concede a goal in the last minute.

“Loads of positives as ever but it is just that negative right at the end which doesn’t sit well with me.”