‘MOANING’ MOWBRAY IS FUMING
TONY Mowbray was fuming at his side’s failure to match Gillingham as Coventry remained winless, despite taking the lead.
An open first half favoured the hosts slightly, but the game was decided by Billy Knott late on.
Kyel Reid continually menaced the Gills’ back four with his direct running and he opened the scoring after industrious work from Gael Bigirimana. He assisted Reid, who struck with a low volley.
It took five minutes for the Gills to get back on terms, with Ryan Jackson’s long throw finding Max Ehmer. His glancing header left Reice Charles-Cook stranded.
Manager Mowbray outlined his frustration: “It was there for us to grab this game after their tough game on Wednesday [at Tottenham].
“We let it slip through our fingers and that was disappointing.
“We didn’t do the basics. We disappointed defensively and we didn’t deal with them. We didn’t stand up enough. I’ve been moaning about goals and now I’m moaning about the defence. Maybe it hurts me more because I played there all my career.”
Gillingham continued to work and got their reward in the second half, despite flashes of brightness from the visitors.
Their assistant manager David Kerslake said: “The result was the most important thing. We’re nowhere near our best footballwise, but if we work hard and grind teams down, once we can do that, the players will play with more of an open spirit.”
And with just under 20 minutes to go, they ground out their reward. Knott slotted past the keeper after McDonald played him through with the defence absent.
Kerslake praised Knott after his first goal for the club: “He’s a terrific footballer but he put in a shift and a half without the ball.”
Mowbray meanwhile talked about the age of his squad.
He said: “People are out on that pitch to pay their mortgages and feed their families and it takes a few years to sink in for young players.
“I think we have to realise what it takes to win football games and I don’t think we’ve got to that point yet.
“We’re a young team and we need some players who have been in this league and know how to get the job done but they’re not easy to come by.” Coventry were by no means out of the game and continued to battle. Marvin Sordell almost got them a point but Stuart Nelson palmed his low volley wide in injury time, which Kerslake described as a three-point save. “He’s done it throughout his career. He’s been outstanding and had the same enthusiasm when (Jonathan) Bond has been in the team. “He’s come into the team and performed as we would expect him to.”