Nick Freeman is confident Gillingham won’t repeat their below-par performance at Accrington.

The wing-back admitted the Gills were well below their best in a 3-1 defeat at Accrington but is sure they can quickly put things right.

They get a chance tomorrow (Tuesday) night when they play Port Vale at home.

“We're a lot better than that, and I'm sure that won't happen again going forward,” he said, following a poor performance.

“It's just one of those games. We've been really good recently, in really good form.

“We're an honest group, so I'm sure we'll rally each other, and we'll get behind each other and move on from this.

“But that's football. You just get those days where you're just not at it and we weren't at it as a group, individually and as a collective.”

Freeman was quick to give credit to Accrington, who he felt made life difficult for the visitors.

“They were really good,” he said. “They're physical, they were technically really good and it was a tough place to [play].”

A defensive mix-up early on didn’t help, as the Gills fell behind after just 11 minutes.

Freeman said: “It was just a mistake. We all make mistakes in football but we got a goal back [at 2-0 down]. We were still really in the game but it just got away from us.

“We didn't do too much to score and they were relentless, to be honest. They were on us. They were direct and we just didn't deal with it, unfortunately.

“But I know how good we are as a group, technically and physically. I know that we can bounce back from this and it's just one of those games. But due credit to Accrington, to be fair.”

Freeman also rejected any suggestion that complacency had crept into the Gills' performance.

“We always believe we can win every game,” he said. “We've got a really good squad and we've got so much momentum coming into this game.

“We're not a complacent squad at all. We're an honest squad. The gaffer wouldn't allow that from us. So definitely no complacency there. Like I said, reiterating, it was just a bad day at the office.”

The defender admitted Gillingham were also below their usual standards at set-pieces, an area they pride themselves on. They conceded twice from corners and looked vulnerable from set-pieces all afternoon.

He said: “We worked really hard on set-plays and that's a cornerstone of how we set up. We pride ourselves on being good at defensive set-plays and attacking set-plays.

“But they worked a couple of good corners and sometimes you get a good delivery and a good header and that's just how it goes.

“They were good at set-pieces and we obviously just weren’t at it in that department. But it happens. We've been brilliant in recent weeks and we've been so, so good defending in our goal zone. We've been so good in that department.”

Despite the disappointing result, Freeman has enjoyed his football this season and feels he is growing into his right-wing-back role. He supplied the cross for Gillingham's goal at Accrington, which was deflected in for an OG.

“I just enjoy playing football in this team,” he said. “I love being here. It's a good group, it's a good staff, it's a good club.

“I've just enjoyed having some momentum and getting some 90 minutes into this season. I've really enjoyed playing my football so far and I feel like I've really come into my role in that right-wing back position.”

Freeman is now looking forward to Tuesday's home league fixture against Port Vale, believing the quick turnaround gives the Gills an immediate chance to respond.

“I'm sure it'll be a great atmosphere,” said the 30-year-old.

“It'll be my first Tuesday night game there in the league game. So I'm excited and hopeful we can bounce back.

“If we go and perform really well or get a result Tuesday then [Saturday] is forgotten about. That is the beauty of it. It's come at a good time.”