By Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler is set to give Kevin Maher an extended chance to prove his worth to Gillingham following an influential performance on Saturday.

The experienced midfielder, pictured, was drafted in to face Stockport and Gills manager Hessenthaler believes he has plenty to offer this season.

Hessenthaler said: “He’s in his thirties now and he’s come in for quite a bit of criticism at this football club but he was outstanding.

“We needed that real discipline in the middle of the park and that’s what we were missing at Accrington. It worked without a doubt.

“We needed a leader. He organised and he pulled people in. He was a captain and credit to the boy.”

Hessenthaler believes that experienced heads such as Maher could be the answer to some of their problems.

He said: “I remember when we had to go to Stoke and get a point to stay up. I picked a disciplined, experienced team and we got what we wanted.

"Sometimes experience, along with the younger legs, can give you the balance."

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