Stand-in skipper Gary Jones is determined that City hit the ground running.

Confidence is high after last week’s Capital One Cup triumph but nobody is under any illusions about the tough start that now awaits in League Two.

Tomorrow’s trek to Gillingham is followed with a Valley Parade double header kicking off against big-spending Fleetwood.

But Jones, who will keep the captain’s armband in Ricky Ravenhill’s absence, is targeting quick points on the board.

He said: “It’s always imperative that you get off to a decent start. Get a good result down at Gillingham and then push on to the two home games.

“It’s going to be difficult but you’ve got to play these teams sooner or later so why not face them straight off?

“Martin Allen’s teams are always tough and will be up and in your face. But we’re ready for it fitness-wise so let’s go and express ourselves.

“We had a good pre-season, apart from the blip against Bury, and I think we’re ready. We’ve trained hard, got a good game plan and I don’t see why we can’t come back with a positive result.”

Jones was outstanding in City’s engine room as they shocked League One Notts County but insists that the real battle begins at the Priestfield Stadium.

He added: “It’s been a long four or five weeks but now we’re down to the nitty gritty of the season.

“We had a great result at Notts County last week and thoroughly deserved to win. But cup games are always different and that won’t count for anything when the league starts.

“We’ll probably take a lot of supporters and I know they’ll get behind us like they did last week. I thought they were fantastic.

“We know what we are capable of. We can play, we’re ready and we can go down there and take three points.”