A match of few chances was won by brilliant first-half goals from Chris Whelpdale and Deon Burton but Rovers showed plenty of commitment even though they were restricted to just a few sights of goals.
Ward said: "I have no complaints. Gillingham had the edge on experience and it showed.
"But I can sleep well because my team gave everything. We are a young group and I have told the lads not to worry because if they continue to perform like that we will be okay.
"I am still looking to add new players and a striker is the priority. But we have a wage budget to consider.
"It isn't easy, but I have promised the supporters I will give everything to the job and that will also apply to the players over the months ahead."
Rovers were unlucky not to score when midfielder John-Joe O'Toole's first-half shot hit the inside of a post, the ball bouncing along the goalline before going out of play.
But it was one of few moments of anxiety for a Gills defence in which Leon Legge and former Rovers player Adam Barrett excelled.
