Sadler wants Reds to “put things right” against Shrewsbury

With just two minutes remaining, Charlie Lee’s scuffed effort proved the difference between the sides, although 29-year-old Sadler believed John Gregory’s team deserved better at Priestfield Stadium.

“There were plenty of chances, some real guilt-edged chances and on another day we take them,” the left back admitted.

“We’ve got a chance to put things right very quickly. That can’t hide the fact that we’re disappointed and hurt from what’s happened today because we should be coming away with at least a 0-0.”

On Lee’s match-winning 88th minute effort, Sadler confessed that the back four and Paul Jones were “disappointed” at the way the goal won the game for the hosts.

“As a back four or five, we’re disappointed we’ve conceded a goal when on another day we should have won it 3-0 or 4-0 or at least a 0-0.

“Gillingham can be very direct and have some big guys that want to head the ball. There’s plenty of positives but it can’t hide the fact we can’t believe we’re going away with a 1-0 defeat. We just didn’t get that bit of luck in front of goal.

“They’re not shy of heading the ball in their own box and protecting their pride. They’ll be brimming with pride that they’ve kept a clean sheet and kept their football club in the game.”

Looking ahead to Tuesday evening’s match at Shrewsbury Town – a side where Crawley’s Mr. Reliable enjoyed a loan spell - Sadler expects his team-mates to bounce back at Greenhous Meadow.

“We’re not going to be too downbeat. There’s another game coming very quickly and from the feeling we’ve got at the moment, I’m positive our group of lads won’t want to feel the way we feel today again.”