Gillingham’s fringe players put in an impressive showing in midweek but manager Gareth Ainsworth is unlikely to tinker much with a winning formula.

The Gills are preparing to head north again, a week after bringing maximum points back from Rotherham United following a 4-1 win. Ainsworth’s men take on Accrington Stanley this Saturday.

Ainsworth made nine changes to the starting line-up for the midweek EFL Trophy game against Brighton’s academy that ended in a 4-3 win.

That team included James Brophy and Andy Smith, with Conor McManus coming off the bench. Garath McCleary returned from a minor back problem while Ronan Hale and Logan Dobbs also got minutes.

Ainsworth said: “Tom Eaves, Bradley Dack and Ethan Coleman got minutes in the legs and Conor McManus came back from international duty. Rohan Luthra made a debut for us [in goal] and I thought he did really well. He conceded three; I think there’s two of them he just couldn't do anything about.

“We had a strong bench already last week, really strong, so let's see exactly what happens this coming weekend, but I'm really pleased with where we're at.”

Middlesbrough loan defender Jack Daley started on Tuesday but has yet to start a league game.

Ainsworth said: “I'll be the first one to get a stick if you stick Jack Daley in and we don't win because everyone will say, 'Why did you change the team?’ That's football, and that's management.

“Jack's been very patient, and he's a good player, very good player, and he's going to have a hell of a career. We're lucky to have him from Middlesbrough as he’s a Championship standard player but at the moment I think I've got some defenders in there playing out their skin and why would you tinker with that?”

Cameron Antwi didn’t make the EFL Trophy squad and Ainsworth admits the midfielder is down the pecking order at present.

Antwi picked up a couple of injuries last season and was out long-term. He’s struggled to make an impact since as others have shone in his place.

Ainsworth said: “Cameron's just a victim of me having to sign players in his place because he wasn't available and that's sometimes football as well. It's tough and then Harry Waldock steps up and becomes this ridiculously good running 10 that we love and that's Cameron's place.

“You do feel sorry for these players but it's what happens, and on the flip side of that, people are taking their chances. Harry Waldock's in dreamland at the moment and loving it.

“It's tough on players [that aren’t involved] and I can understand where some players are at sometimes in their mind and psyche but we try and look after them all.

“I'm sure Cameron will get his chance but at the moment we're really happy with what we're doing. That's the competitive nature of professional sport I guess isn't it and Harry really has taken his opportunity.

“That's the game. You'd love to play them all but unfortunately Cameron suffered a big injury when he played his first start for me last season and never really got back in and got momentum again and sometimes players need that but Harry's certainly took his.”

Dack came off a little earlier than planned in the Trophy match having initially been penciled in for 90 minutes. He came off after 77.

“He's fine,” said the Gills boss. “He tightened up in his groins a little bit, which you're going to do at that age and with the amount of games he's played this season.”

Goalkeeper Ollie Wright was an unused sub on Tuesday night while Omar Beckles, Armani Little, Robbie McKenzie, Waldock, Nick Freeman and Lamin Sillah were rested.

Eaves started his first game since rejoining and made his 100th appearance for the club. He’s now scored from the penalty spot in successive games.

“Tom will needs to get up to speed,” said the Gills boss. “He will be the first one to admit that.

“But his sheer presence and size and the name Tom Eaves, he's had a great career and he's been feared in the lower divisions, they all go in your favour when he starts or comes off the bench and Tom's going to play a big part here for the rest of the season, I'm pretty sure of that.”