By Luke Cawdell

Martin Allen is hoping for a happier Priestfield this weekend as Gillingham take on relegation-threatened Plymouth.

The Gills boss and his players came under fire from their own fans after suffering a sixth home defeat of the season last time out against Oxford at Priestfield.

They take to the field on Saturday still sitting top of League 2 – two points clear of second-placed Port Vale with a game in hand.

Allen (pictured) said: "The supporters are entitled to their opinion and losing at home hurts.

"It hurts the supporters and the players and, of course, it hurts me. I don’t like it. But when the players come in the dressing room after being booed and shouted at, they know when they are through that door I am there to help them.

"It would be better if the supporters had a go at me rather than the players.

"Better still, it would be better if I could walk quietly down that touchline and at the end of the game, all our supporters give our players a standing ovation because they do their best every game they play."

He added: "I always say to the players, ‘don’t knock the supporters’ opinion because it is important’. If they boo you and we haven’t played well, you have to man up and face up to it, that’s what it is like."