Speaking after the game at Griffin Park, Manager Mark Stimson was at a loss to explain the Gills heavy defeat, "It was never a 4-0 but that's the result and now we have to deal with it and get on with it.

"Before they scored we had two great opportunities, we hit the post and the other was saved by the keeper. They went up the other end and got a penalty. We spoke before the game about clearing your lines and not passing back on a very poor pitch, they didn't take that on board and we conceded a penalty to go 1-0 down.

"The second goal, I don't think anyone in the stadium thought was a penalty but they got it. To concede a further one was hugely disappointing because before those two goals we looked the better side. I'm devastated."

Stimson revealed that his coaching team had worked at length on devising a strategy to overcome Brentford's strengths and was disappointed with his team's failure to stick to the plan "We've had a good week and some of the information that's been put across to the players this week has probably been of a Premier League level.

"We've analysed Brentford, where we can hit them on certain areas of the pitch, everyone takes it on board and gives the right answers, then you come on to the pitch and some players play their own game. That obviously was nowhere near good enough."

Stimson was given a mixed reception from the travelling supporters at the final whistle and admits he understands the fans frustrations, "I went over to the supporters at the end and looked them in the eye, it wasn't nice what I was getting back but I understand that because I picked the team.

"I'm hurt because I thought we had a team who over the last three games have shown they've got a lot of spirit. I know that was nowhere near good enough but do some of the players? Or do they think there's another game on Tuesday night, we might win that because we're at home.

"I think I've got what it takes. It doesn't help when you are starting to get a few players that you think can do well and Rene Howe, who has been probably our best striker over the last few games gets injured the day before the game."

Gillingham now face another important league fixture on Tuesday night against relegation contenders Tranmere and Stimson is determined his team will be ready for the challenge, "Tranmere is absolutely huge now, coming off the back of a big defeat.

"We'll be in training tomorrow but then we would have been in even if we'd won 4-0 today. We've got a game on Tuesday, we'll prepare for it. I'll analyse it with the other coaching staff and I'll pick a team who I think can get us the result."