Andy Hessenthaler wants in-form Gillingham to exploit their opponents’ fragile confidence when they visit promotion rivals Crewe on Saturday.

The Gills boss said the pressure was all on the home side who have lost their last two games – conceding nine goals in the process – while Gillingham have swept up to sixth in League 2 on the back of the 3-1 win over Rotherham on Tuesday.

Hessenthaler said: "Crewe have had a bit of a sticky spell of late, had a couple of losses and conceded a few goals.

"There was a little bit of pressure on us on Tuesday. We needed to get a win and maybe the pressure moves over to Crewe now.

"We should go up there full of confidence and hopefully we can exploit them because they are under a bit of pressure.

"We have only lost two in 14 games and our away form is now good after being the worst around at one stage."

Hessenthaler was keen to get through Gillingham’s next three games against promotion rivals Crewe, Bury and Shrewsbury unbeaten.

He said: "Going into the three games, it’s in our hands. They won’t want to play us – they’ll fear us because of the form we’re in."

Hessenthaler wouldn’t confirm whether he would retain the midfield diamond formation which was so effective against Rotherham for the trip to Gresty Road.