The Gillingham team gave young defender Stephen Butcher a standing ovation following Saturday’s match.

Butcher made his senior debut against Colchester, with just four minutes gone of the League 1 opener, as he replaced injured Matt Fish

It was a tough introduction for Butcher but one the manager and team-mates appreciated.

Manager Martin Allen said: “I thought he was excellent. He is a youth team player but we haven’t got any cover in those areas so he deserved and earned the right to play.

“He did well in pre-season, he has got a great attitude, he trained all summer and what a massive step up for him to come in and play like that.

“I am sure all the supporters would say Butch had a good game. Everyone loves it when a youth team player comes through.

“It is not easy for him but he deserved the opportunity. We gave him a standing ovation in the dressing room after for such a good performance.”

Allen handed a number of players their Football League debuts last season and Butcher was the latest to have been rewarded for his hard work.

Allen added: “How special is it for me to give people Football League debuts? It’s fantastic. It wasn’t difficult to give him his debut, he earned it.”