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Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler was furious with his side's defending after going down 4-3 to AFC Wimbledon

Andy Hessenthaler
Andy Hessenthaler

Andy Hessenthaler will bring his players in for extra training on Sunday morning following defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

The Gills boss saw his side suffer a second successive loss despite leading 2-0 and 3-1 in the game at Priestfield.

It was a tough defeat for Hessenthaler (pictured) to take.

"It was terrible," he said. "There were no excuses and we just weren't good enough. It was schoolboy defending.

"At 3-1 up we should have seen the game out. For the second goal the players switched off. Nobody reacted to the short corner and unfortunately it went in off Jack Payne for an own-goal.

"It gave them a lift. The first goal had been schoolboy with people making wrong decisions defensively. Matt Lawrence got dragged out and there was a big gap for their lad to run through."

The Gills conceded a third to make the game 3-3 from the penalty spot.

Hessenthaler said: "We were too deep and it wasn't good enough. I think he (Lawrence) pulled the shirt and you can't do that when you're in the box. It was a penalty.

"Hand on heart at 3-3 I thought we were going to lose the game because we just didn't look like we were together defensively as a group."

A fourth goal handed Wimbledon the win. Jack Midson claimed it but Joe Martin may have had the last touch.

Hessenthaler said: "We are devastated and there were a few home truths told.

"I'll put the kids in because they will defend better than that."

The Gills boss said he would recall Connor Essam from his loan at Dartford and is likely to bring Simon King back into the fold, while also exploring his options on the transfer market.

Strong words from Hess but do you think he is right?

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