GILLINGHAM boss Andy Hessenthaler insists his side can still make the Division 1 play-offs, despite the dour draw at Priestfield on Saturday.

Hessenthaler’s side are now placed 10th after the weekend’s games - nine points outside the play-off zone - but he’s refusing to give up hope.

He said: “There's still 30 points to get and we could go and win seven out of 10. It’s feasible and if we could get a bit of confidence and a win against Watford on Tuesday night who knows? It’s not over until it’s over. It’s going to be difficult but until it’s over we’ll keep trying.”

Hessenthaler admitted that Saturday's game was a pretty dire affair. He said: “It was an awful game. I thought we’d played on that pitch quite well in recent weeks but on Saturday we certainly didn’t."

Hessenthaler has hit back at claims by Rotherham boss Ronnie Moore that he had dived to get Millers defender Guy Branston sent-off. Branston got his second yellow card after an innocuous challenge seven minutes from time, prompting Moore to say: “Andy has ‘old-manned’ him.

“He's used his experience and I feel sorry for Guy. It was real 9.9 Swan Lake stuff. He likes a good dive does Andy.” But Hessenthaler replied: “I'm not a cheat. I stuck it through his legs, he’s fouled me, I've got up and he’s sent him off. I think it was harsh."

“The first yellow he got was a bit of a naughty tackle - he jumped in with two feet - but for the second the referee could have had a word. When someone fouls you how can you stay on your feet? I was a little bit too clever for the fella.”