Gillingham manager Justin Edinburgh believes the 3-0 victory at Millwall today was just reward for his players' efforts this week.
Dominic Samuel scored twice and Bradley Dack converted from the penalty spot as the Gills beat the 10-man hosts to record their first win in south east London in 12 years.
Seven days after Burton Albion beat the Gills by the same scoreline at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium, Edinburgh said: “We needed to make a statement after the disappointment of last week's result – it was the required response, it sends the right message.
“The group have been fantastic this week, on and off pitch. It's a fitting end to the week; coming here and winning 3-0, not many teams will do that. I'm proud of the players today.”
Edinburgh made just one change from last Saturday's starting line-up, as ex-Millwall player Josh Wright replaced the suspended Doug Loft.
“I certainly had no doubt about showing faith in that group of players,” Edinburgh added. “They deserved the chance to put it right, which is what they did.
“We were efficient in the first half, and we had to put our bodies on the line in the second half. We knew there wouldn't be any caution from Millwall, they went 4-3-2 after the sending off and they certainly caused us problems."
“But with both their full backs bombing on, I felt that had we have pulled the right pass we may have a got the third goal quicker.”
Samuel caused the home defence problems throughout, and his committed display was rewarded when he took advantage of lapse Millwall defending late on to score his second and the Gills' third.
“I said recently that I felt there was more to come from him,” said Edinburgh. “His double today will give him a spring going into next week. Dom's movement, through balls and runs were sublime today, as were Cody McDonald's. They caused problems.”
Watch all the action from Saturday's victory at The New Den by clicking here.