Gillingham overcome sickness bug to claim a League 2 win over Accrington Stanley – head coach Stephen Clemence delighted with player character

Gillingham head coach Stephen Clemence admitted he had no choice but to leave striker Ashley Nadesan out on Saturday.

The Gills boss revealed post-match – after their 2-1 win – that his preparations for the game at Accrington had been hit by a sickness bug.

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Nadesan, who had started the previous four games, was an unexpected absentee at Accrington on Saturday and Clemence explained why.

“Ash hasn’t been with us all week,” Clemence said.

“We didn’t see him on Friday, he’s been off since last Sunday.

“We have had a sickness bug going through the camp this week, that is why Ashley wasn’t there.

“It wasn’t a decision over whether to take him or not, he wasn’t available, but I am hoping to see him next week.”

Gillingham’s problems stemmed from a bug that also affected Robbie McKenzie and Oli Hawkins, but both managed to start the game on Saturday.

Neither could last the 90 minutes, with Hawkins replaced after an hour and McKenzie taken off with 74 minutes gone.

Clemence was just grateful for their efforts.

He said: “Robbie only managed to train for a couple of days but really lost a bit of weight as well, he had it quite bad. I had to change him at the end.

“I am hoping we’re at the end of it but fair play to those boys for putting themselves out there to get out and play.

“Robbie McKenzie did ever so well to come in and play the game, Oli had one or two issues as well and I have had to bring him off.

“We have had a lot going on, they have shown great strength of character, all of them, to get three points. The boys have done well.”