Josh Chambers makes first start for Gillingham and Bailey Akehurst comes off the bench at Sunderland

Manager Neil Harris was pleased with the way his young players coped at Sunderland after turning to the youth team for reinforcements.

The Gillingham boss had limited options for Saturday’s match, starting teenager Josh Chambers for the first time and introducing fellow youth player Bailey Akehurst off the bench.

pic.twitter.com/K5ERGnxfdW

It’s wasn’t ideal, especially against a side of Sunderland’s stature in League 1, but it was needs must.

“I was delighted for Josh,” Harris said of the 18-year-old midfielder, speaking after their 1-0 loss. “I didn’t tell him until just before midday that he was playing because I didn’t want him to over think it.

“We were forced to play him because of personnel that weren’t available, we are miles apart as football clubs when you look at the benches and the starting elevens, but my players competed.

“Bailey came off the bench as well. We are asking kids to do men’s jobs at the moment and I thought Josh was exceptional in his attitude, he has a real personality, character and that is why I played him.”

"Steve would be a stand-out candidate for positions at league clubs and we are delighted that our efforts have attracted him.”Former Gillingham boss Steve Lovell is back in the dugout as manager of Isthmian League Ramsgate https://t.co/0AfNcGpe5p

Akehurst had been an unused substitute in Gillingham’s previous three games and came on for the last few minutes of the game at The Stadium of Light.

Harris said: “They have both trained extremely well since I have been at the club, but you don’t want to go to Sunderland away and rely on a youth team player to play and a youth team player to come off the bench when you are backs to the wall. That is where we are as a club, I have spoken openly