MARTIN: "PLAYERS DEFENDED VALIANTLY"

Martin praises character of squad after Dagenham victory

Martin Allen said his team showed great character and fought until the very end as they earned a deserved 2-1 win over Dagenham & Redbridge at MEMS Priestfield on Saturday.

Goals from Leon Legge and Deon Burton either side of half time sandwiched by a Femi Ilesanmi equaliser gave the hosts all three points which lifted the Gills back to the top of League Two.

The Manager said after the game: “It was defending at its best. Everyone to a man stood firm, stood their ground, reduced them to very few chances and I thought they showed great character.

“When they got the equaliser we all know what could have happened, everyone in the ground. But our players responded well, they stepped up another gear.

“The substitutions worked really well for us, we got the goal and then yes we did, what you could call, park the bus. We shut up shop, the players kept going right until the very end, especially the players who came on and really helped the team.

“I was delighted for Gregory to come on and see him play so well in that holding midfield role, and then young Dack who’s been out on loan. All in all, on and off the field, the players were happy when they came in, and to hear the noise of the stadium was magic.

“The players defended valiantly, as a team. I thought we defended fantastically well through what was a difficult spell against some good players in a team that have shown some good form recently.

“A good day all round.”

You can see the first part of Martin's press conference on Gills Player here.