Defender Andy Smith admitted the Gills had let themselves down last weekend but was pleased with their response against Port Vale.

Smith was named man-of-the-match as Gillingham bounced back from a 3-1 defeat at Accrington with a 1-1 draw at Priestfield on Tuesday night.

The centre-back had come under criticism for his marking at corners in the loss at Accrington, where two goals came from set-pieces.

But he produced an improved display against Vale and came close to scoring with a header that forced a good save from the visiting goalkeeper.

Smith felt the Gills had shown the fight and determination that had been missing at the weekend, although he was disappointed they could not turn their performance into three points.

He said: “We knew that Port Vale were going to be a really tough side to play against. They’re a really good team at the level.

“They’ve obviously not had a great start but they’ve had a bit of a turn of form, so we knew they were going to be right up for it and we matched it, certainly in the first half.

“Obviously, we’re disappointed not to come away with all three points though.

“As a team, and as an individual, we were really disappointed with the performance on Saturday. I felt like we all had a bit of a point to prove and to put some wrong things right.

“We came out with a bit between our teeth, so it was real positive.

“As a unit and as a whole team, Saturday we weren’t at it - individually as well.

“The gaffer never really lets us dwell on a bad performance.

“We went through the game, it wasn’t nice, but it was swept under the carpet once everything that needed to be said was said.

“Everyone went out raring to go and it was really nice.

“I was really low after the game on Saturday, as we all were. It’s nice to get the man-of-the-match, but I’d much rather have had three points.

“I think every single one of us had a bit of a point to prove. That should be a given in every game. Unfortunately, football doesn’t work like that. We always go out and try and give it 100 per cent, but for whatever reason on the day, you might not quite be at the game.

“It’s not just me, everyone really had a point to prove.”

Smith was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet against Vale, with his header drawing an impressive stop.

He added: “I thought it was in.

“Obviously, great save from the keeper. That’s something that I’ve been working on. I really want to add it to my game and hopefully if I keep getting myself in those positions, I feel good.

“We were really low after Saturday. It was tough. We let ourselves down, we let the fans down, we let the gaffer down on Saturday. We weren’t at it as a team, so like I say, it felt really nice knowing that everyone was at it [on Tuesday night].

“You could see that real fight in everybody and that’s the minimum now.”

Gillingham are back at Priestfield on Saturday when they host Grimsby Town, one of Smith’s former clubs.

The defender was part of the Grimsby side that won promotion back to the Football League while he was on loan there from Hull City. Smith knows the Mariners will provide another stern test but is determined to help the Gills take all three points.

He said: “It’s going to be a really tough game. I know Grimsby really well.

“They’re going to be right up for it and they’ve got some quality in their side.

“There are no easy games in this league, so we’re going to have to be right at it again to get anything out of the game.

“I’ve got a lot of time for Grimsby and the people that work there. I really enjoyed my time there, but I want nothing but three points on Saturday.”