Steve Lovell delivers his reaction following defeat to Blackpool at Priestfield.
Gills manager Steve Lovell was left disappointed as his side slipped to 1-0 defeat at home to Blackpool on Tuesday evening.
A Nathan Delfouneso header was enough to secure the three points for the Tangerines as they headed back to the North West with victory.
Reflecting on the game, Lovell said: “We worked hard enough, and we gave everything, but there wasn’t much in the two teams. They took their chance that came along and we had a number that we didn’t take. It happens in football.”
Gills were hoping to build on two wins at home in the last week but despite a positive first-half showing, their efforts were left unrewarded.
He added: “In the last couple of weeks we’ve scored when we’ve been on top and we have gone on to get a couple more. Connor has hit the bar, DJ had a shot and Tom Eaves had an effort. But you must dig in and if it means it’s 0-0, then so be it.”
Delfouneso’s header, just four minutes after the interval, proved to be enough for the visitors and Lovell was left frustrated at the timing of the goal. He said: “We’ve conceded just after half-time again, which is annoying because that has happened a couple of times this year. There is no reason for it but that is the way it is. They didn’t hurt us enough tonight, only from set plays.”
The visitors slowed the game down in the second-half and frustrated Gills as they went in search of an equaliser and Lovell was complimentary of the way the visitors saw the game out.
He added: “They managed the game very well, they stuck their bodies in when they had to, and their keeper made a great save at the end which would have got us a deserved point. But fair play to them, they’ve had a busy few weeks and they’ve got a result.”
Billy Bingham was missing from the Gills squad and Lovell gave an update on the midfielder as well as the other absentees. He said: “Billy isn’t too bad, all the injuries should be okay for Saturday apart from Callum Reilly, so I should have a pretty much full squad to pick from. I will have a look on Thursday and prepare for Saturday.”
Gillingham are next at home on Saturday when they face Hartlepool in the Emirates FA Cup.