Gillingham striker Macauley Bonne got off the mark in the League 2 match against Mansfield Town | Manager Neil Harris delighted

Macauley Bonne answered his critics with a goal on Saturday but Gillingham manager Neil Harris was never in doubt about his main man upfront.

Striker Bonne netted his first goal for the Gills on Saturday after 11 appearances, scoring on the volley in only the second minute against Mansfield. It took a top save from keeper Christy Pym to deny him another.

More: Gills ‘hard done by’ after controversial decision

The Gills, and Bonne in particular, had received criticism for not making their chances count the week before against Doncaster but Harris had no doubts about sticking with the former QPR and Charlton front-man.

Following Bonne’s goal, Harris said: “His performances have warranted it, he’s been excellent.

“He knows as well as I do that strikers get judged on scoring, that is a fact, but his all-round game has been exceptional.

“We saw another excellent performance (against Mansfield), he led the line brilliantly, took his goal fantastically well and good saves from the goalkeeper stopped him from adding to his tally.

“He is an important focal point of our team at the moment and I am really pleased for him to get off the mark.

“He was disappointed last week at Doncaster and accepted criticism that he hadn’t got on the scoresheet from poor finishing but I reminded him over the last few days, how well he had done to get into those positions, how well he had been playing.

“His all-round game has been exceptional and we are creating him chances, which is the biggest thing.

“As a striker, you want confidence from creating chances and his finishing in training had been very good, a high standard. He just needed to translate that into the game and I am delighted for him to get off the mark and another very good assist