Rees praises the battling qualities of his team-mates as league security confirmed.
Midfielder Josh Rees was in a reflective mood on Saturday afternoon as despite losing 2-0 to promotion chasing Charlton, Gillingham secured safety in Sky Bet League 1 for another season.
First half goals from Joe Aribo and Josh Cullen sealed the points for the Addicks who will compete in the play-offs at the end of the season, and Rees admitted the quality of the visitors told as they ran out comfortable winners in ME7.
The midfielder said: “We gave it a go, but it was the final ball that made all the difference. That’s the difference between the top teams. They’re a good team, they’ve got some good players and I wish them all the best in the play-offs. I think they’ll be the ones to watch.”
Rees who was brought to the club by Steve Lovell, who left the club on Friday, said that development had no impact on Saturday’s result: “It was difficult in some senses," he said. "But we are professionals and it is what it is. Stuff that goes on off the pitch can have an affect but not to the point that it will throw us. Nothing has really changed, (Mark) Patto has been a familiar face this season, so there was no excuse on that part.”
There was a crowd of over 8000 inside Priestfield as Gillingham signed off at Priestfield for another season, and a good following from South London meant the game had a real bite to it.
“Between both boxes I thought we gave it a good go. It was a feisty affair, a good derby game, it was just that final pass or final shot that just wasn’t coming off today. Had we kept it at 1-0 it would have been different game.
“Fine margins, that is what we’ve seen this season," he added. "The difference between the top five and the bottom five is down to those margins. The top five are way ahead for a reason, because those small margins, they make them count. I thought we competed with them well, and even with that chance at the end, it goes in on another day.”
Gillingham make the trip to Blackpool next Saturday to round off their season and tickets remain on sale for the trip to Bloomfield Road.