Max Clark’s reaction to a penalty miss and then a superb winning goal for Gillingham at Bristol Rovers

Gillingham defender Max Clark says he had to “switch it on” after a poor opening half on Saturday and did just that as he went from zero to hero.

Clark admitted he struggled to cope with the Bristol Rovers winger he was tasked to keep quiet and hit a penalty straight at the keeper in a poor first 45 minutes for the Gills - but he turned the afternoon around after scoring a stunning winner.

More: Ainsworth dedicates Rovers win to his staff

The Gills nabbed all three points thanks to Clark’s 54th-minute strike, picking out the top corner from the edge of the box on the volley.

“I took a touch, it fell nicely so I thought it's there to be hit,” explained the Gills left-back.

“Luckily, it went in the top bins, and I don't think I'll hit one as sweet as that for a long time. I'm happy, but I'm more pleased for the three points.

“When I missed [the penalty], I was getting a lot of stick and it does slightly get in your head. The noise was getting louder [from their fans], and you just have to ride that storm.

“We got in at half-time, nil-nil. In the second half, we came out of the blocks from the start and showed the character, and you have to, you have to step up, you can't just go under.

“You just have to stay with it, you have to stay in it, and mentally you have to be strong, that's what you do as a group.

“I was very disappointed personally with my [first half] performance. I didn't feel I had a good game first half, but then I knew I had to switch it on.

“I was up against a good winger and giving him time and space. If you give a winger time and space with his ability and his speed you're going to get hurt. I did first-half, but mentally I knew I had to pick it up.

“I got tight to him second-half and felt a lot more