Gillingham striker Joe Gbode on his battle against Morecambe defender David Tudonta, facing another ex team-mate Matt Baker at Newport County and ‘everyone’s favourite’ player Robbie McKenzie

Gillingham striker Joe Gbode enjoyed a weekend battle against a former team-mate and is relishing another on Tuesday night.

Gbode came up against former Gills left-back David Tutonda on Saturday and a more generous referee might have awarded the hosts at least one penalty after the striker was felled several times in the box.

Thankfully the Gills weren’t reliant on the referee as Robbie McKenzie’s late strike clinched the points.

On his battle with Morecambe defender Tutonda - who played 54 games for the Gills over a two-year period - Gbode said: “I loved it. Dave's a family friend of mine. Me and him go way back. I enjoy playing against Dave.

“Whenever I see Dave, it's always, ‘How's the family, how's everyone?’ Even during the game, me and him were talking. There was a bit of antics between us, because me and him were very close and very tight. I enjoy always talking to Dave and being around him.

“There was a bit of a friendly banter between me and him. There was one time where I think he's driven into the box and he's gone for the slide tackle. It was a good challenge, to be fair. He said to me, ‘You know, you still can't get past me!’ I laughed it off. I enjoyed the challenge against David, he's a very good player.”

Asked it he deserved at least one penalty, Gbode agreed.

“Oh yeah, 100%,” he said. “He (Tutonda) even admitted that himself. Even though I wasn't going to take (the kick), I deserved one at least.

“The second one, it was definitely a penalty. On another day the ref’s giving it. But it is what it is.”

It was McKenzie’s 79th minute goal that sealed the points.

Gbode saluted the goalscorer.

He said: “What a man. What a player. He's just an amazing guy. An amazing player.

“Everything he does is just so clean,