Joe Gbode scored his first league goal on Saturday in Gillingham’s home defeat against Notts County at Priestfield

Gillingham striker Joe Gbode says his confidence is sky-high after scoring his first goal in the Football League on Saturday.

The 19-year-old came off the bench to make his 27th league appearance for the Gills against Notts County in what’s been a breakthrough season for the striker.

Gbode headed home Armani Little’s corner on 80 minutes against the Magpies but the Gills were already 2-0 down before that goal and were unable to score again.

A 2-1 defeat meant Gbode’s goal and the man-of-the-match award was overshadowed but the young striker is hoping to start reveling in the extra confidence it’s given him.

He said: “I'm just relieved because it's taken me so long to get that first goal. I've come close quite a few times but it's just never really happened.

“As soon as the ball came in from Amani Little I just powered my way through and got my head in it. I knew it was mine.

“It’s a big weight off my shoulders. I'm a player who just needs that little bit of good fortune. I reckon the goals will now start flowing because I have that confidence.

“Before, I'd shy away a little bit from making that little burst into the box, because of the fact that I haven't scored, but now I've got it every time I see an opportunity, I'm just going to try and take it.

“[The goal] meant a lot. It felt like a long time coming. I was just like, ‘come on, finally.’ You just need that good fortune and I had it. Right now, my confidence is higher than it's ever been. My confidence is sky-high now.

“Every time there's an opportunity to score a goal or make something happen, I'm going to try and do that as best I can.

“I'm hungry. I'm starving for more goals. Every time I see an opportunity where the goal's open, I'm going to put it in there. I'm