Ahead of last Saturday s game, the exciting news from St James Park was the capture of fans favourite, striker Stuart Fleetwood, from Charlton, on a season s loan.

Ahead of last Saturday's game, the exciting news from St James Park was the capture of fans' favourite, striker Stuart Fleetwood, from Charlton, on a season's loan. The other interesting news was that City had signed Oscar Jansson, a talented 18-year-old Sweden U21 keeper on loan from Tottenham.

The bad news was that Paul Jones, the resident City stopper went under the knife last week to cure cartilage damage in his knee and faces around six weeks on the sidelines. Most fans will agree with the signing of Fleetwood, as he played an instrumental part in the back end of last season, when the Grecians secured promotion.

Unfortunately, more bad news followed on Saturday when Exeter travelled to Kent and suffered a 3-0 defeat.

From a Gillingham point of view, this was their first League 1 victory since the opening day of the season Gillingham boss Mark Stimson commented "I thought we were outstanding from the first whistle. There were some good goals and some very good performances, and it demonstrates how lucky we are to have Simeon Jackson here."

From a City perspective, looking for positives from the game on this occasion is very difficult and I think even the most positive fan would find very little to enjoy.

Keeping to the simple facts, it's the first league game in 20 that City haven't scored, an early penalty and goal were given away after just four minutes, and another goal within 10 seconds of the restart of the second half with prolific Simeon Jackson slotting home his second of the game.

Usually upbeat City manager Paul Tisdale, in his after match reports, was brutally honest on how he felt. He said: "It's a very bad day. I am trying my very best to learn from it and get back to a better performance next week. I have to be careful what I say but it is what happens after this that is important. We have not been good enough in the last couple of games so I have got to work it out....

"I believe in moving on and improving but I don't agree in ignoring it and it is a big big learning curve for us and there is a lot to be done. I can talk and talk, but the fact of the matter is we should be better, I believe we are better and we have to be better."

l City have drawn Swindon Town at home in the next round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, on Oct 5, after receiving a bye in round one.

l This Saturday the team travel to East London to face Leyton Orient who also have five points from six games. Orient sit just one place above City in the League 1 table and have not been in great home form.

Club captain Matt Taylor says "It is a massive game for us. We need to stand up and be counted to be honest with you. We have to get it right this weekend."

l Monday, Sept 21, EDG welcome Steve Tully to the War Memorial Club. Non members and all City fans welcome. Kick off 7.30pm.