Gareth Ainsworth was delighted that his side found a way to win the game on Saturday as Gillingham beat Oldham Athletic 1-0 at Boundary Park.
Sam Vokes came off the bench to net the winner, scoring his first Gills goal in the process. Ainsworth was full of praise for the supporters, but realised how tough a test Oldham provided his side on the day.
Cruz Beszant made his professional debut, coming off the bench during the second half, replacing Bradley Dack. The Gills boss was elated for the academy midfielder, but he knows that there is plenty for Beszant to learn.
Ainsworth also explained the reasoning behind Jonny Williams and Nelson Khumbeni's absence and looked ahead to Tuesday's Vertu Trophy fixture.
Discussing the game...
We found a way today, and that is the sign of a good side. We found a way. We probably got away with a couple of chances from Oldham. They have got to stick them in the goal. I think that they missed from a yard and hit the side netting a couple of times. When we were asked to, we hit the target.
Sam [Vokes] has scored a lot of goals in his career, so all he needs is one chance. It was brilliant for the fans. They were unbelievable, the fans. Superb.
They had a decent attacking threat with Quigley, with his headers, and they adapted to the conditions better than us - in the second half, especially. In the first half, there was absolutely nothing in the game. In the second half, during the first 20 minutes, they really came at us.
Micky [Mellon] changed formation at half-time, slightly, and they were rolling inside a little bit. That caused us a few problems, so I changed our formation. I went to a 4-3-3, thinking that we may be able to get more pressure higher up the pitch, and thankfully, it worked. It doesn't always work, but we had two wingers on the pitch in Joe [Gbode] and Aaron [Rowe], and then young Cruz [Beszant] making his league debut, which is a massive compliment to the youth setup here, and Sam [Vokes] coming on and doing his bit.
I thought that all of the subs made a really good impact.
That was probably our toughest game yet. It was a really tough game. They are going to beat teams here without a doubt. It's brilliant that after another seven-hour journey yesterday to get up here and take the points home.
The defensive rearguard closing the game out...
The way that we defended for those last 15 minutes was imperious. Robbie McKenzie and Smith [Andy Smith]; Galey [Sam Gale] and Clarky [Max Clark], and then Glenn Morris. I have to stick Ethan Coleman in there, because he and Marns [Armani Little] in front of the back four were just brilliant picking up the bits.
We had to see it out today.
Cruz Beszant making his senior debut...
Cruz was our only fit midfielder on the bench, so I thought that I don't want to lose Dacky [Bradley Dack] because Dacky is so important to us as well, so that was his moment. He took it well, and there's plenty to learn.
I am sure that his head will be spinning about what has happened, but he will always remember that celebration in front of the Gillingham fans away at Oldham when we won 1-0.
He's a really good lad, who plays off both feet and is very good and very accomplished, but it's a different level when you come into the first team.
Reason for Jonny Williams and Nelson Khumbeni's absence...
Jonny [Williams] and Nelson [Khumbeni] both picked up a knock in midweek. They both could have made the trip today, but there was no risk. We want to keep them all fit.
Looking to Tuesday against Fulham Under 21s...
We will see what we will do on Tuesday now. It will all be about the legs and making sure that we aren't risking anyone injury wise, and that we are competitive in the game.
We will give it a go, and I am sure that Fulham will be doing their research on us, and if we keep playing the way that we do, then I am sure that we can turn anyone over. I'm looking forward to Tuesday.
