Robbie Findley made his debut for Gillingham on the weekend and his attacking threat helped the club go six points clear on top of England's League Two table.
The American striker, on loan from Championship club Nottingham Forest, continually ran at the Port Vale defence in the 2-0 win at Vale Park and the losing manager Micky Adams feels it was his contribution which allowed the Gills to get the upper hand.
"We got out of it what we deserved which was nothing," said Adams of his second-placed Vale side.
"That's the simple answer to it because Gillingham were the better team. We needed to turn up for a big game and we didn't do it.
"The pace of (Robbie) Findley scared the life out of us and we sank deeper and deeper.
"Of course it's not all doom and gloom because we've had some great performances this season and now we've got to bounce back."
Findley has joined Gillingham on an initial one-month loan after failing to gain regular first team opportunities with Forest following his move from Real Salt Lake in January 2011.
