Stimson was appointed Gillingham manager in November 2007

Gillingham manager Mark Stimson has praised opponents Shrewsbury Town after seeing his side lose a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at Priestfield on Saturday.

Two goals from Grant Holt, the second a stoppage-time header cancelled out earlier strikes from Curtis Weston and Nicky Southall.

Stimson told BBC Radio Kent: "You have to give credit to the opposition, Holt was absolutely exceptional."

"The players are a bit down but we will take a point."

Holt's first goal came from the penalty spot, with his equaliser becoming the first goal, other than those from spot-kicks, that Gillingham have conceded in more than nine hours of football.

"He's the best striker in the league," said Stimson.

"When that ball is in wide areas you have to pick him up because otherwise he will punish you and he did that at the end."

Had the home side held on to win they would have gone into the top-three in League Two for the first time this season

And with just one of the top eight sides winning, captain Barry Fuller said it was a chance missed.

"Any team should win at 2-0 with 15 minutes to go," said Fuller.

"Shrewsbury dug in and kept going but we are disappointed, especially knowing the other results."

The result leaves the Gills, who travel to Notts County on Tuesday, sixth in League Two but level on points with third-placed Rochdale.

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