Jake Hessenthaler hopes his goal on Saturday is the first of many.

His early second-half strike pulled the Gills level at Fleetwood but a late goal condemned them to defeat.

Hessenthaler would have taken the points over the goal but was glad to be off the mark this season, after his sweet strike found the bottom corner despite Chris Neal’s best efforts to keep it out.

Hessenthaler said: “I hit it quite well. He (the keeper) got a great hand to it but luckily it crept in.

“It is nice to score but I would have swapped it for the points all day long.

"I want to add goals to my game. I said that last year and I got five and I wanted to push on this year. That’s one and hopefully there are many more to come.”

Hessenthaler was played in a more advanced midfield role as team-mates Josh Wright and Billy Knott were tasked with protecting the defence.

The 22-year-old said: “The shape we have played in the last few games has been good and it is quite an attacking formation with the three boys up top.

“I don’t mind playing further forward if I have to. I can adapt my game. Wherever the manager plays me, I will try my best."