No matter what result last Saturday, it was inevitable Barnet boss Mark Robson would be judged against Martin Allen – the man many Bees fans wanted to take over at Underhill in the summer.

Allen helped keep Barnet in the Football League last season. He oversaw the final three games of the previous campaign, two wins and a defeat. They were six crucial points which helped keep the Bees in League Two.

Before kick-off the now Gillingham boss received polite applause from the Barnet fans.

After watching his Gills side dispatch the Bees 3-1, Allen admitted he "really wanted to become Barnet manager" during the summer.

Allen’s post match comments saw Robson asked, unfairly some may feel, why he thought he had been handed reigns at Underhill.

Understandably, he batted the question away. But did state the chance to become head coach at the club was one he had to take.

"For me it was an opportunity I couldn’t refuse and it is still early days," Robson explained.

"We are only five games into the season, I’m still trying to bed together a team and I thought there were signs against Gillingham, like there have been in other games, of what we are trying to do and how we are trying to play.

"If we can correct the mistakes we are making at the moment then I’m sure we can turn it around pretty quickly."

He added: "We are still trying to build and there are one or two players we are trying to bring in. I’m confident that we will do it and we will put together a team that will climb this league.

"But it will not be easy, that’s for sure. I’m not pulling the wool over anyone’s eyes. I knew how hard this job was when I took it but I am prepared to roll my sleeves up, work hard and put it right.

"I’m really positive that the club made the right decision appointing me and that will bear fruit over the course of this season."

The match itself was routine for the Gills.

Jack Payne and Danny Kedwell both scored in the space of a minute to establish a solid lead. Jack Saville then pulled a goal back with a header and Barnet, for a half hour spell, looked the stronger side.

However, Deon Burton headed the Gills’ third before the break and they coasted home in the second period.

Robson acknowledged his side have not yet performed consistently over 90 minutes this season but he remains confident the Bees will turn their form around and start to move up the table.

He said: "What is a real problem for us at the moment because we are playing like a 45 minute side. It is not for the want of trying and how we want to play.

"Maybe there is a little bit of a lack in confidence but they are a good bunch of lads and they can play and I think they need a little more belief.

"But if you win a few games then the belief is there and the confidence is there. I’m sure it will happen sooner rather than later, it is just about getting that first win and I think we have some players who can lead us through to a positive patch."