Gillingham winger Jonny Smith looks ahead to taking on a Harrogate Town side who are in a poor run of form in League 2

Gillingham winger Jonny Smith was surprised to learn just how bad Harrogate’s current League 2 form is.

The Gills travel to Yorkshire this weekend to face a Harrogate team who have gone 16 league games without a win. In fact, their last win was against Gillingham at the end of September, leaving Priestfield as 1-0 winners.

Smith played that game - as Harrogate ended Gillingham’s 21-game unbeaten run - and he couldn’t believe that they hadn’t won in League 2 since.

Smith said: “I started the last match against them when the stadium was full of Gillingham fans, it felt like it was going to be a good day but they obviously ruined it, to be honest, and were very good that day.

“I played with (Jack) Muldoon, the striker there, and I know his threats. He's a good player. It's going to be tough and we've got to be ready.”

Smith faced a long spell on the sidelines out injured after that game and he was surprised to hear that it was the last time Harrogate had picked up three points. The Yorkshire side sit second from bottom in the table.

“I didn't know that, to be fair - I thought they were one of the best teams that we played, in the few games that I have played! They really played well that day. That surprises me.

“They were a good side. We know they're dangerous. You can't underestimate anyone in this league, that's what I've realised since I've been here.

“Everyone's got a threat. They're going to be a wounded animal in front of their fans, but we know the expectation of (our own) fans is to produce wins. We know that it's going to be tough, but we're going there to get the three points.”

Gillingham had been selling £5 tickets the day they played Harrogate at home, and a season-best crowd of 7,406 was at Priestfield to watch