Martin happy with performance despite 2-0 defeat..
Gills boss Martin Allen was proud of the way his side played despite losing 2-0 to Middlesbrough in the second round of the Capital One Cup at MEMS Priestfield on Tuesday evening.
Goals from Mustapha Carayol and Cameron Pack ensured the visitors booked a place in round three, but Martin praised his squad for their efforts after matching a team two divisions above them.
Speaking after the game he said: “I’m disappointed obviously to lose but I thought it was a very good performance from all our players and everybody on the bench.
“The people in the stands made a fantastic effort – for the team to lose 2-0 and get a standing ovation from all the supporters was recognition of the effort the players put in and to a man they put in a real shift.
“I thought the opposition played really well in the first half and they moved it really quickly around the pitch and it was tough for our players.
“In the second half we changed our game plan a little bit and got higher up the pitch and dominated against a Championship club from start to finish.
“We didn’t create many chances and we had to change our way of playing. Having said that we pinned them back and really went for them. We tried to chase to get an equalizer to take it into extra time.
“I’m not sure 2-0 is a reflection of the game but I think you have to say our players have given everything they have got for the club and I think the supporters have recognised that and I patted all of them on the back as they came back to the dressing room.”
Danny Kedwell came the closest to scoring for the Gills in the second half, and the manager was under no illusions how difficult the challenge would be considering the level of opposition.
He said: “That was unlucky and it was a good effort. We didn’t create that many chances but when you are playing Championship opposition there will not be an abundance of chances.
“You have to give them credit for defending the way they did but our players did well for our club. We need a bit more quality perhaps but when you are playing those sorts of teams and chasing the ball for 45 minutes like the first half it can be quite draining.
“We’ve played three Championship teams and won two of them. One away and one at home – I’m disappointed but I’m also really happy with the way the lads have played and that’s good, we have to keep that going.”