GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler refused to be too critical of his players’ performances after the 4-1 drubbing by Nottingham Forest at Priestfield last night.

He described the first home loss in 10 games as “an off night” but still found room to applaud the effort, singling out goalscorer Rod Wallace for special praise.

He said: “We have come back down to earth, but conceding four goals at home is not us. We did not defend aggressively enough, found it hard against the pace of Darren Huckerby and Marlon Harewood and looked nervous at times.

“The players were disappointed but I’m not going to knock them or point fingers because they have done fantastic over the last few weeks.”

The suspended player-manager added: “We had been performing well recently and last night we had enough of the ball, but sadly it didn’t go for us.

“I was proud how my players didn’t throw the towel in after Forest scored their fourth. We could easily have lost by five or six but we kept at it, kept working hard and trying to pass the ball.

“I thought Rod Wallace was outstanding, getting the ball into his body and his goal was justified.

“We also had other opportunities, especially in the first half when Paul Shaw was fouled by Michael Dawson. I don’t like to see players sent-off, but by the letter of the law he had to go because he was the last man.

“That was a turning point in the game because shortly after they scored their second goal. On another night that decision would have gone for us and it would have been a different game.”

Huckerby, on loan from Manchester City for the rest of the season, caused havoc all night, scoring the first two and making the third.

Hessenthaler may have been surprisingly upbeat about the display, but admitted some frustration.

He said: “We did not defend properly, which was disappointing because we know we can do a lot better and at times going the other way we looked really good.

“They did their homework about the pitch and played very direct, which worked because of their pace up front.

“The first two goals came from direct balls, the third went straight through us and again it was poor defending from the free-kick headed goal.”

Injuries have plagued the team this season and Hessenthaler would have been concerned about his skipper Paul Smith, who on his 300th appearance for the club looked far from fit.

Barry Ashby and Tommy Johnson also had to be rushed back after recent calf injuries and both did not make the full 90 minutes.

Gills are without a game this weekend and return to action at home against Wimbledon next Tuesday.