Darren Oldaker’s inclusion in the team was a gamble that paid off for boss Steve Lovell.

Oldaker, 19, was making his first league start under Lovell on Saturday and only his second for the Gills, his only other coming two years ago.

The midfielder produced the pass of the game to set up Tom Eaves with Gills’ second goal and grew into the match as it went on.

Lovell said: “He was outstanding with his passing, as if he had played all season out there.

“He made a couple of mistakes but it didn’t stop him wanting to get the ball and that is the kind of person he is. He is a great character, a great lad and he has waited for his opportunity.

“You are playing him in a midfield where he had people who could help him, he had good players around him and when he had the ball he knew he could fizz it to them and off you go.

“He had an excellent game. He had a couple of errors, but he won his headers, his tackles, he ran around and I thought he was excellent.”

Lovell did admit Oldaker’s surprise selection was a gamble. His only other involvement this season was in the Checkatrade Trophy defeat at Portsmouth.

Lovell added: “Callum (Reilly) was injured and there were a few not around, Dean Parrett wasn’t quite right. DJ might have been a gamble but you know what kind of player he is and you hope he would perform like he did.

“He is on the teamsheet next week isn’t he? He has done brilliant for us.”