POSITIVE GILLS ON THE MARCH
STEVE Lovell reckons his in-form Gillingham side are starting to believe in themselves at just the right time following a third win on the spin.
Goals from Lee Martin and strike duo Josh Parker and Tom Eaves sealed the points for the Gills in an impressive display over high-flying Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park.
Josh Morris equalised for the Iron at the start of the second half but a first defeat in seven sees Graham Alexander’s side lose ground on the automatic promotion positions.
“All of the players did brilliantly,” said Gills boss Lovell. “We have been in that position a few times this season but we’ve sat back and let teams get back into it. We’ve been working hard on that and making sure we keep trying to score.
“The potential here is big and I’ve seen a lot of progression with this performance. The players are starting to believe in themselves and it’s showing on the pitch.
“We looked so dangerous on the counter-attack in the second half and it’s always important to have that threat.”
United almost opened the scoring in the 16th minute when Neal Bishop, arriving late in the box, saw his diving header fly just over the bar.
Soon after Cameron Burgess’ back-post header was parried to safety by Tomas Holy.
The hosts were made to regret those misses when the Gills took the lead on 25 minutes. Parker led the line powerfully before feeding his captain Martin who emphatically rifled the ball into the top corner from just inside the box.
The Kent-based outfit were a threat in the final third and only a fine save by Rory Watson stopped Bradley Garmston from doubling the lead.
Following an impressive start to the second half, Scunthorpe deservedly equalised after 52 minutes. Morris, who had gone close with a free-kick moments before, skipped down the left before hitting a low strike into the far corner.
The midfielder was at it again five minutes later as the Iron laid siege to the visiting goal – his curling shot clipping the post.
The visitors regained the advantage against the run of play on 68 minutes. Luke O’Neill floated in a cross from deep and Parker stole in at the far post to head home.
The points were sealed just five minutes later when Eaves latched onto a through ball after beating the offside trap and he calmly slotted the ball past Watson.
Scunthorpe manager Graham Alexander said: “We weren’t good enough to get a result– it’s as simple as that.
“We were sloppy defensively and we need to do better. Gillingham’s goals have come from our mistakes and we need to stop that.
“We certainly had more chances than them in the gam and we should have scored more than we did but we especially have to improve defensively if we are to get to where we want to be.”