Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth praised the attitude of his squad as they came away from Prenton Park with a hard-fought point in a 1-1 draw with Tranmere Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
Joe Gbode scored a stoppage-time equaliser, cancelling out Omari Patrick's opener just after the hour. Ainsworth was delighted with the resiliency his side showed, fighting and battling until the very end to ensure they left Birkenhead with a result.
There was a change in the defensive shape, with Gillingham operating with a back four. Sam Gale started at right-back, with Robbie McKenzie partnering Andy Smith at the heart of the defence. Remeao Hutton played out in the right wing position. Ainsworth explained the reason for those decisions.
Praising the attitude of the squad...
The resilience this group shows... Not just that, but the persistence and the belief that they showed to score in the 92nd minute to come back into the game, then seeing the game out. It wasn't pretty. We're away from home. I set up to be solid away from home. This team beat Shrewsbury last week 4-0. I wanted to bring something home from here.
The fans were unbelievable. I am telling you. I was pumped, probably more pumped if I hadn't got my yellow card after five minutes.
I am so, so pleased with this group of players. We've lost Ethan Coleman to a massive gash on his face because he is committed. We almost lost Sam Gale because he is committed. Elliott Nevitt is running through brick walls at the moment because he has not done a full pre-season; he's committed. We are a committed team and we are so proud of the togetherness that the group has got.
Fans, I know in the past we have probably played better football, but not had the results. You're going to get that, and it will come, but I am going to get the results first. I am going to get this resiliency. It's something to be proud of. When they travel like they did, we cannot help but give everything. We emptied the tank.
Thoughts on the game...
The game wasn't for the purists at all. It was a League Two game, with two teams going at each other, who I think are going to be decent teams in League Two this season. They have got some good players, they really have. They are a good outfit, and we saw them last week and said that we have to be good against Tranmere to stop them carving us apart like they carved Shrewsbury apart.
Nobody has carved us apart. I am still saying that. No one carves us apart. It's a goal that should have probably been disallowed today, but I can take that. What they don't understand is that we will never give up. We will never ever give up. That was brilliant to see at the end. I was really, really pleased.
We definitely deserved something out of the game today. I think that it's justified that we have got something. Tranmere are a good side, and Andy Crosby is a good manager, and he has had a really good record since he took over. It is a great point away from home, and I am going to enjoy that one tonight.
Explaining the change to the defensive shape...
I felt that Omari Patrick is one of their better, more talented players. I thought that the attributes that Sam Gale has would have been a better match for him than Remeao Hutton. I also thought that Remeao, with his attributes, would have dealt with [Patrick] Brough, their left-sided centre half, who gets forward quite well.
I thought that it worked quite well. I thought that Galey held him really well, and Remeao did a great job on Brough, so I am pleased that we did that.
Looking ahead to Chesterfield...
We will have to find a way to play Chesterfield. They are going to be good. Paul Cook is a great friend of mine. They are going to be flying, but I am looking forward to it now. We will see what we get on Tuesday.
Potential transfer business...
I will look at the whole squad, because I believe that there are some additions to be made in some key positions, which will bolster us. I'm not going to say in the media. I always said that it was going to be one to add, but it is probably going to be two to add now. It's going to be really important that the right players come in.
