Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth was impressed with the resolute performances he saw from his side in their 2-2 draw with Salford City on Saturday afternoon.
All four goals were scored during the opening 25 minutes, with the second half becoming a much tighter affair. Ainsworth was happy with how his side restricted Salford, acknowledging that the winning goal would have to be a big moment.
Elliott Nevitt opened the scoring before Salford scored twice to take the lead. Remeao Hutton scored a brilliant goal to equalise, and Ainsworth spoke highly of both goals.
There were three changes to the Gillingham starting XI on Saturday. The 51-year-old discussed the thought process behind his decisions.
The Gills boss also looked ahead to the fixture at Chesterfield on Tuesday night, as well as looking towards the future.
Thoughts post-match...
Another point. Another great second-half display of resolute defending and resilience. There were some cracking goals in the game. It was one for the neutral. There was some good play in the first half, especially. It's a battle.
The wind, I don't want to keep blaming this, but we had Harrogate a week ago and Salford this week. I'm a northerner, but coming up north, there's a lot of wind in these stadiums that aren't massive, and you feel it on the pitch. It was a lack of quality at times from both teams.
I think in the second half, we didn't create much, and they didn't create much. There were balls coming into our box. Joe Gbode has had a real great effort. It was going to be a moment in the game, but neither team got it in the second half.
All of the damage was done in the first half, with it being 2-2. I'm pleased to take a point away from home. I always say that. The fans were brilliant again and got right behind us. We didn't match the quality we had on Tuesday at home.
It's three draws. It is still decent. We're unbeaten, and I am pleased that I have seen some real decent defensive resolution from the back three, the two wing-backs and the two midfielders in front of them. We knew it would be a tough game. They have got some really good individuals at Salford, and my boys stood well in the second half.
On the goals scored...
[Elliott Nevitt's goal] - We talked about it this morning a little bit over breakfast. I said to Elliott to get some goals into your game because I know you can do it. At Tranmere and Crewe he scored a lot of goals there. I said to him that I know when you have settled in somewhere and you have found a style of play, and you get used to somebody. He will get used to me and the way that I play, but it was a great bit of individual skill.
It was going into the far corner, took a deflection and went in at the near corner, and it was just deserts for him.
[Remeao Hutton's goal] - Remeao, who wasn't really meant to be closing down their centre-half and just decided to do it. I'm glad that he did because he intercepted it and on his left foot, bent one into the top corner. It was the goal of the game. It ultimately gets us the point.
Reasons behind the changes to the starting XI...
Smithy [Andy Smith] picked up a knock in midweek, so he didn't come in, so Shad [Ogie] has played. I was really pleased with him. He was cramping up at the end, which he should be because he hasn't played for a while. Armani Little came back into the team as captain. I think that he is assured, a very good player and we know what we are getting from Armani. Oli Hawkins getting the start. He has come off the bench and made real impacts lately.
It's not just for those reasons. It's a third game in a week which is always potential for injuries and things. People will say that Jonny had a fantastic game in midweek, so why is he out of the team? The reason is because I want him to have a lot more fantastic games, and so go with it. Jonny came on and did his usual. He was busy around the place.
I thought Joe [Gbode] played well when he came on. He showed some of the stuff that he hasn't been showing in other games, so there were some real positives today.
On Chesterfield on Tuesday...
We're ready to take on Chesterfield on Tuesday, which will be at an old-fashioned bigger stadium, and the conditions will probably be a bit better because these bigger stadiums don't let the conditions in, and it becomes more of a purist game. I think that we're good at that. We showed that against Colchester, so I am looking forward to that.
Looking towards the future...
I want to beat teams, and I want to get out there and prove that we can beat teams. We will get there. Some organisational stuff and some forward play.
I have actually done two sessions in nine days with this group. It's not easy because of the schedule, so there are no excuses, but once they get my way and my sessions in week in and week out with them where we have had a pre-season and all that sort of stuff. We will be a different animal.
At the moment, it's to pick up as many points as we can until the end of the season and for the players to show me what you have got because I am here for the long journey. I am looking forward to it.
