Gareth Ainsworth was impressed with his team's resolute display as they held promotion-chasing Salford to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, earning a well-deserved point.
Glenn Morris made two stunning saves at the death to ensure that the Gills left the Peninsula Stadium with a share of the points, and Ainsworth praised the experienced goalkeeper. The Gills boss also gave his assessment of the fixture, crediting his players for the hard work they put into the game as they restricted a strong Salford side to very little.
Gillingham travel to Cheltenham on Tuesday, and Ainsworth admits that he will rotate his side if necessary, knowing the importance of players avoiding injury heading into the summer break. He knows that the Robins will pose a tough test after their impressive win at Walsall.
The 52-year-old also touched upon Bradley Dack's contract extension and is glad to have the midfielder on board for next season.
On the game and the performance...
It was absolutely resolute. Glenn [Morris] makes a fantastic save, but I said to him, 'That is what you are there for.' We try and force the shots from difficult angles so he can save them, but they are magnificent saves. Having said that, we could have scored at the other end, and the last kick of the game, we could have scored. Seb [Palmer-Houlden] has hit it just a fraction over the top there.
The first-half was quite tentative from both teams. It looked like Salford had a lot to lose, and they weren't going right at us. I think that sort of spread into my team, and we weren't great either. We weren't great at closing the second ball sometimes. It was a weird game in the first-half, so at half-time I got into the boys a little bit to focus on getting more on the second balls and giving them the belief that we can beat these.
There is no problem on that. We changed the system a tiny bit.
I am really pleased with everyone today. The shift that some of the boys have given. I won't pick out individuals, but some boys have run their socks off today.
This is a tough team to come and play against, Salford. A very tough team. Look at their results, look at who they beat, and look at how much money they have spent on transfer fees. They are a good outfit. We have done really well today.
The togetherness at the club...
They would pump it into our box, and we headed it, we blocked it, we ran, we harried, and we filled in for each other. We have got a good team, but not just the team; my staff and the extended staff. The groundsman, Hayden, let us train on the pitch yesterday, and not many groundsmen like that, but we just wanted to get that little bit into them. The little things like that are making all the difference.
I am proud to be the manager, and I am looking forward to what we can achieve.
On Tuesday's game at Cheltenham...
We will have a look at rotating on Tuesday, because I don't want any injuries. Anyone that knows football they don't want to be injured in the summer. It's their time off with their families. They need to finish the season positively, do their work and get back for next season. There will be no risk of anyone.
It will be no easy task. We will go there with our tails up after a performance like this, and hopefully, we can get something out of the game.
Bradley Dack extending his contract...
I think that Dacky still has more to come. He is getting fitter and fitter, and stronger. You see the little class bits that he has got in the middle of the park, where people go honestly for headers and get bumped away, he is the one that usually bumps and gets on that ball. That little touch that will do somebody, and the pass. He is above the level with that.
Having him next year, he is going to be part of a good squad.
