Steve Evans delighted with the manner his Gillingham side battled to three points against 'quality' Blackpool outfit

Dominic Samuel's double handed the Gills the win, condemning the Seasiders to their second defeat from their opening three league games.

The former Blackburn Rovers forward opened the scoring after just four minutes, before doubling his side's lead at the start of the second half.

Blackpool enjoyed plenty of possession but were unable to muster any clear-cut opportunities, the Gills eventually running out deserved winners on home turf.

Speaking post-match, Gills boss Evans said: "I'm really proud of the kids in the dressing room. You look at the average age of the team, I was actually surprised myself how young we were.

"Considering we were playing against a team who will be in the top six at the end of the season, they are full of good players and had some good play, but we were certainly on top in the first half an hour - we played some wonderful football ourselves.

“To be fair, for the first goal it’s a fantastic corner from Scott Robertson, a brilliant run from Connor Ogilvie, good retention play from Jack Tucker to put it back in and I was expecting Samuel to be there; to put it in is a bonus for us but I was expecting him to be in the middle of the goal because that’s what we have worked on.

“There is always a concern when you are one up but we started the second half really bright. We were on the front foot, got in behind them a couple of times and then Dominic scored with a fantastic finish.

"It was brilliant play from Vadaine Oliver; he robs the centre-back and gives it to Dominic who produces a brilliant finish and the goalkeeper has no chance.

“Then we have had to battle, haven’t we? They are a quality side who knock it about well so I'm very pleased. They are young men who are just starting their careers; we only have one or two older players in there. I am really proud of them.”