Gillingham manager Mark Bonner was frustrated with the manner in which his side conceded the goals in their 2-1 defeat at Bradford City, but was happy with parts of the performance.
Jayden Clarke gave Gills the lead after a fine move before the hosts turned the game around shortly before half-time. The Gills boss was pleased with what he saw from his team during the opening half-hour but felt that his side failed to truly test their hosts during the second period.
Conor Masterson returned to the starting XI after his lengthy injury layoff. The defender played the entire 90 minutes, something that pleased the manager.
Gills went into the game without Armani Little and Elliott Nevitt, who have suffered injuries. Bonner gave an update on their status, as well as Robbie McKenzie, who remains out with a knee injury.
It is a quick turnaround for Gillingham, who host Newport County at the MEMS Priestfield Stadium on Tuesday night. The 38-year-old welcomes the challenge, one he knows his team will be ready for.
Thoughts on the game...
I thought that we warranted something from the game. I thought that it was a fairly balanced and even game. I thought that we were excellent during the opening 25 to 30 minutes. We started well and scored a great goal. We actually had one or two moments similar to that.
One has pea rolled and hit the post as the defender has cleared it to stop Hawks [Oli Hawkins] from tapping it in, so we were really pleased with our intent in the early part of the game.
We are absolutely fuming with ourselves because of the two goals that we conceded. When we're set up like we are and are as big as we are, then we shouldn't be falling behind to goals like that. Albeit, that's a strength of theirs, but it's a strength of ours usually as well, so we are really frustrated that we haven't been able to see those moments out, with one right before half-time.
We lost the game because we didn't defend our box properly.
We had lots of the ball in the second half but did not create enough quality moments or test the goalkeeper enough against that low block when we needed to face forward and play forward. I really liked the committed nature of the team. The frustration today is that we have lost a game that we feel like we should have taken something out of.
The players returning to the starting XI...
Conor Masterson has done amazing to get through 90 minutes today. Tim Dieng has done great to get through the work that he has. Hawks has done great to get through the length of time that he has playing as a nine because he hasn't done that since the very beginning of pre-season, so there are quite a few that we are nursing and trying to get through.
Injury updates...
[Elliott] Nevitt's is a calf. There was an issue that he picked up in the game against Accy last week, so he won't be back in the next week. Armani Little may have a chance for next weekend. There's a little bit of tightness in his hamstring. Jack Nolan's had a bit of tightness in his hamstring.
Robbie [McKenzie] has a problem in the back of his knee. He's going to be a few weeks, but we don't know how long for sure. It's a strange injury that you cannot put a time frame on. We're probably talking about the other side of the FA Cup for him and Nev.
Looking ahead to Tuesday and the quick turnaround...
It's good in some ways and bad for some because there will be some that probably won't be able to go again after today, so we will shape everybody up over the weekend and see what we can get out Tuesday.
Whatever we do and whoever gets their chance, they will be ready to have a right go at the game, I'm sure and keep pushing us to get a positive result.