Display at Accrington one of the best this season, says Gills boss.
A delighted Steve Evans felt that his side were worthy 1-0 victors over high-flying Accrington at the weekend and lauded Kyle Dempsey’s winning strike, which he felt was good enough to grace the BBC’s Premier League coverage on Match of the Day.
The Gills boss now wants to maintain the positive momentum as they prepare to face top-of-the-table Lincoln City on Tuesday evening in Sky Bet League One.
Following the Accrington victory, Evans said: “It was a great result. That’s the strongest side we have had out since the season started, you only have to look at the bench. I’ve always said that if you want to see how strong a side is then look at the bench, because that is a sign of how good the players on the pitch are.
“Our supporters will be proud. We have let them down a few times this season, too many times for me. It is a building block today, a building block against a team who I think could be champions.
“We scored a great team goal. If that goal was in the Premier League then people would be talking about how special it was. We are capable of winning games; this is the best we have been.”
The Gills may need to find an even bigger performance when they take on the league leaders Lincoln at the LNER Stadium in one of their toughest tests of the season this Tuesday. The Imps are flying; three points clear at the top, unbeaten in their last five and looking likely for promotion.
Evans said: “Lincoln City is a great football club. My daughter went to the university in the city, we have a little place there which we rent out, we love the city but it’s our job to go there on Tuesday night and do well. This is a real footballing side with craft and flair and a desire to win matches. They have had a rest, which makes them really dangerous. They have top players and even players on the bench that would get into most teams.
“Anyone who finishes above Lincoln will be promoted to the Championship. They are an outstanding side. They have a manager (Michael Appleton) that I have the upmost respect for. He’s coached in the Premier League. They are talented and have recruited very well. We will need to be at our best.”