Oliver | "We are in with a real chance"

In-form striker says the squad have the opportunity to achieve something special.

Red-hot striker Vadaine Oliver hit his 16th goal of the season and roared “let’s take this play-off opportunity with both hands." 

The in-form marksman was obviously disappointed with a solitary point against Doncaster despite the Gills getting off to a flying start in their Sky Bet League One clash. Jordan Graham and Big V himself did the early damage with a strike apiece, and it almost got even better but Robbie Cundy’s powerful header fizzed fractionally over from close range.

The visitors dragged themselves back into the game with quick-fire strikes from Tom Anderson and James Coppinger. Undeterred, the Gills gave it a good go after the interval but bad fortune and the woodwork left the Kent side cursing a missed opportunity.

Following the game, Vadaine said: “It was a great start and you think that if we could get a third then happy days, we are away.  Cundy had a chance from a corner and just headed it over the bar. I think it just swung the game in their favour a little bit.

“If we had got that third, there wouldn’t have been any comeback from that. Fair play, they showed great character but we have gone into the dressing room feeling like it is two points dropped.

“We will lick our wounds because we feel like we have really missed an opportunity, but we have a nice week ahead to rest, recover, and look forward to the next game.”

The 6ft 2in target man experienced play-off success last year at Northampton and now he wants more of the same at Gillingham, who he believes are still capable of gatecrashing the top six.

He said: “I got the taste of it and I want it again. These opportunities don’t come along too often, so when you have got it, you have to take it with both hands. We are trying to mount that challenge and go for it.

“We have been saying to the younger lads that this is a massive opportunity for us. Being in a play-off run can change your career, it can give it a real-kick start. We are in with a real chance.

“It’s time to get back to the basics and go again. We have another big game next, away at Hull. It’s going to be a tough one but I feel that on our day we can beat anyone at this level.”