It’s Just not right says angry Edinburgh
GILLINGHAM manager Justin Edinburgh blasted his players’ ‘suicidal’ defending after two mistakes gifted Wimbledon the points.
Dominic Poleon capitalised on a loose pass back from Rory Donnelly to open the scoring.
John Pask needlessly conceded a penalty for throwing Paul Robinson to the ground on the stroke of half-time and Dean Parrett scored from the spot.
The day was capped off when Donnelly saw red in the 89th minute for appearing to make an abusive gesture toward the home fans.
Edinburgh said: “We can’t hide behind injuries for the goals we gave away. The back pass was suicidal and the penalty was the same.
“I’m standing here angry, frustrated and disappointed.
“Yet again we’ve been the instigator of our own defeat and downfall.
“You’re not going to continue week in, week out coming from goals behind.
“I have to take responsibility for the players I put on the pitch and the teams I’m selecting, so I can’t hide behind that.”
After 20 minutes a weak back pass from Donnelly, only introduced as a substitute for Bradley Dack seven minutes earlier, set up a race for the loose ball between Poleon and keeper Stuart Nelson.
Poleon was the first to the ball and skipped away from the stranded Nelson to fire into an empty net.
Lightning almost struck twice after 39 minutes following another poor back pass that went straight to Tom Elliott, but Nelson saved bravely at the Wimbledon striker’s feet.
The hosts were not to be outdone though and doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time with Parrett stroking in a penalty.
Donnelly curled a freekick inches wide on the hour as Gills looked for a way back before referee Darren England prematurely ended his miserable day.
Wimbledon boss Neal Ardley said: “Justin will be disappointed. They handed us both goals with a sloppy back pass and then a stonewall penalty. “From our point of view we have still got to take them. Dominic Poleon has still got to be ready to press the back pass which he was. Poleon took his goal brilliantly
“In the first half we were really good and good value. Our intensity was really excellent.
“And in the second half, when you are 2-0 up, it is about being professional and seeing the job through.
“In the second half we passed a bit better and were more free-flowing.
“There were loads of good performances out there.”