Gillingham are not out of trouble yet but boss Steve Lovell knows their rivals have it all to do.

With five games left the Gills are five points clear of the relegation zone.

Lovell’s men finished the afternoon still in 13th spot and have a far superior goal difference to those in the bottom four.

Defeat to Peterborough at the weekend didn’t damage their prospects as nobody below them in the table managed to record a win.

“That did us a favour,” said Lovell.

“It is still five games and four weeks to go and a lot of work to do, and we will continue to do it.

• Report: Peterborough 2 Gillingham 0

• Reaction: It was one of those games

“The players know what the situation is. It is something we just have to get through and get as many points as we can. If we keep performing like we are doing then we will (be okay).

“Whatever happens, they will give it everything and they will perform well.

“It is just about taking those opportunities when they come along.”

The Gills struggled in the attacking third against Peterborough.

Lovell said: “They handled Tom (Eaves) and Brandon (Hanlan) very well and they stopped them from perhaps getting into the positions they have done in the last four or five weeks.

“We will keep working to make sure we prepare for next week’s game against Shrewsbury.

“It happens. It isn’t going to fall right for you in every game, you aren’t going to hit the target or the back of the net with everything.

“You look at Tom Eaves and he must have had five or six shots and never went near the goal, that is not like Tom is it? It’s one of those things.

“Losing Mark Byrne (to injury) was a blow but it didn’t make much difference.

“We still got the ball and we just didn’t get enough ball into our front men, that’s the first time for a few weeks that we haven’t done that.”

The Gills are a point above both Shrewsbury and Plymouth – who visit Priestfield this Saturday and on Good Friday respectively.

It’s looking good for survival, but Lovell warned: “You still have to do it and we’re still not out of trouble.

“With the goal difference, I would say it’s six points (from the bottom four). The teams down there have to win two games to overtake us and that’s if we don’t get any more points.

“We just have to approach it next week (against Shrewsbury) like another game and hopefully get another result.”

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