THIS time last year Gillingham were in the thick of the promotion race.

For now, new head coach Ady Pennock’s job is to stabilise their League One status.

The Gills, who faded badly in the second half of last term to drop to ninth, are currently five points off the bottom four with no win in their last six games.

Pennock’s arrival has tightened things up with successive draws, including an impressive 2-2 at Sheffield United. But it has been a season of struggle for the Kent club, who ran out of patience with Justin Edinburgh last month.

Gillingham’s problem area is clear – they have kept only two clean sheets in their last 28 league outings.

And they are yet to stop a home side from scoring this season. The last shut-out on the road was at Bramall Lane on April 9.

Gillingham’s deadline day signing of Bournemouth attacking pair Joe Quigley and Harry Cornick was greeted with an underwhelming response from fans, concerned at the leaks at the other end, while former City midfielder Billy Knott has gone on loan to non-league Lincoln.

But the players themselves believe a corner is slowly being turned during their first month under former Forest Green boss Pennock (pictured) who made 199 appearances for the Gills as a defender.

Midfielder Josh Wright said: “No matter who it is (in charge), it will always take time, it’s a new formation, a new structure and there is a lot to take on.

“We are getting there and we will keep working hard. We have had a few weeks and there has been a difference.

“We are all pulling together now in the same direction and we have to keep going. I am sure we will be fine.

“It was a fantastic result against Sheffield United. It shows what we have in this dressing room.”

But Pennock admitted sloppiness again cost them in his first home game in charge against fellow strugglers Shrewsbury last week.