Kyle Dempsey says Gillingham need to be miles better than their second-half performance at Plymouth.

Skipper Dempsey felt for the Gills defence who withstood plenty before Luke Jephcott scored in the 88th minute on Saturday.

The visitors unravelled after an encouraging first-half performance and midfielder Dempsey made no excuses following their 1-0 defeat.

He said: “Their lads made some great blocks in the first half, their keeper’s made a great save and we’re probably a bit unfortunate not to be up at half-time.

“And then second half we just didn’t stick to our gameplan, we allowed them too much time on the ball and, to be honest, it was just a matter of time before they got the goal.

“I thought the lads at the back were absolutely outstanding.

“They had a lot to do today and kept clearing their lines, winning the defensive battle and the guy’s come up with a great piece of skill and put it in the back of the net.

“We’re disappointed because that was nowhere near the standard we set ourselves in the second half and we’ve got to be miles better than that.

“We can’t continue to play like that, especially in the second half.

“We’re normally a team that likes to take control in the second half and get stronger and we just didn’t do that today but we’ve got a game on Tuesday (away to AFC Wimbledon) and we’ll put things right then.

“That’s where you’ve got to focus now. You can’t dwell on getting beat here.

“I think we did deserve to get beat towards the end, especially second half.

“We just need to take any negatives, sweep them under the carpet, go again Tuesday and put things right and get the season rolling.”

Plymouth’s first home game with fans since March 7 last year attracted a crowd of almost 11,000.

They created a phenomenal atmosphere, raising the volume further during the Pilgrims’ second-half onslaught.

Dempsey was in no doubt Argyle supporters helped their side over the line.

He said: “You miss that feeling and, to be fair to their fans, they were electric.

“It’s just great to have them back and playing in games like this, it makes football way, way better.

“The fans are obviously going to help you.

“They helped us on the first game of the season, they get behind you and I think it gives you that extra 10 per cent.

“Today, when they were on top, their fans kept going and going and probably gave them that 10 per cent they needed.

“But you can’t make any excuses, we just didn’t turn up in the second half, we didn’t stick to our gameplan and we got punished.”

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