Mark Bentley admits the fear of being dropped to the bench is driving him on.

Bentley (pictured) signed for Gillingham from Southend in the summer of 2006 as he went in search of first team football.

After clocking up nearly 150 appearances for the Gills since that move, it’s been a fruitful time for the versatile pro but he knows how painful a dip in form can be.

"I know I can’t afford to take my foot off the gas," he said. "We’ve got a good squad and one bad game could mean I’m back on the bench like I was at the end of last season.

"That was the worst time in my career. To miss the Wembley game played on me a bit but I have to focus on doing well in League 1 now.

"I was playing in the team up to the beginning of April and then had a dip in form. Garry Richards came in and he did well.

"When you’re on the bench you do feel out of it occasionally but you just have to get on with it.

"It was still a great feeling to win at Wembley and I have great memories but I would have liked to have been involved in the action.

"It wasn’t to be, though, and you have to be a professional about it.

"You’ve just got to look at the main focus of the season. That was to get promotion and that’s what we did.

"There are some players on the bench now who are desperate to play and it’s down to me to keep them out of the side. I know what it’s like to be on the bench."