Gaffer disappointed with Donny defeat.
Steve Lovell was left frustrated by defensive mistakes as his Gillingham side slipped to a 3-1 defeat to play-off chasing Doncaster Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from former Gills forward John Marquis, Mallik Wilks and Danny Andrews gave the hosts a mountain to climb with only an hour played at Priestfield. A late Callum Reilly goal gave Lovell’s men hope of a comeback, but it proved to be just a consolation as Gills ended 2018 with defeat.
Reflecting on the game, Lovell said: “It was a mixed bag. I think the first half started very poorly for us but there wasn’t a lot in the game. Then we gave them the first goal after we had three attempts to clear it. I must say our passing in the first half was as bad as it’s been since I’ve been here.
“We started the second half brighter but then we give them the second goal and I think the third goal Tomas should save. It’s disappointing, very disappointing.”
Callum Reilly managed to scramble home a consolation for Gills, but it proved to be too little too late as the points went to Doncaster, but the manager felt the start of the game is where the Gills lost out.
“The last twenty minutes we came into it and they wanted to take the time out of the game, but we just didn’t start how we wanted to,” Lovell said. “If we go in half time 0-0, we most likely go on and nick the game. We’ve given them three goals, they haven’t earned them. It wasn’t through lack of effort, or lack of discipline, but it was three mistakes that cost us the game. It’s our fault we have lost 3-1 today. “
Lovell confirmed that both Barry Fuller and Dean Parrett look likely to miss the trip to Southend on Tuesday having picked up injuries during the defeat.
“I’m going to mix it up again on Tuesday,” Lovell added. “I think there are players out there who look a little bit jaded, and we have players in the squad who have been waiting to have an opportunity. I thought Luke O’Neill did well when he went on, he was very bright down the right-hand side and I thought Billy Bingham did well too.”