A Nouble effort is enough to save Gills

GILLINGHAM boss Justin Edinburgh accepted fan frustration lies with him after Brackley Town forced an unwelcome FA Cup first round replay at Priestfield.

The Gills haven’t kept a clean sheet in 28 attempts, an unwanted club record, and are without a win in nine.

A Frank Nouble brace spared their blushes after the National League North side raced into a 2-0 lead.

“I stood there and for one minute I thought we were out of the game,” said Edinburgh.

“People will probably raise their eyebrows and everything, but regardless of the opposition the players showed character and dug in.

“I fully understand the criticism, totally, not a problem. As long as it’s aimed at myself and not the players, which it wasn’t, during the game.

“The supporters were fantastic. It could have been easy to go quiet here at 2-0 down but the goal came around quickly and lifted everyone again.

“We’re here for a reason. Me more than anyone. I want to be successful – I want to do what we were doing last year and win a lot of football matches.

“I understand everyone’s frustration, it lies with me, I accept that.”

Brackley took the lead in the 13th minute when Alex Gudger nodded home Glenn Walker’s in-swinging corner.

The visitors doubled their lead in spectacular fashion 14 minutes later when James Armson curled a 25-yard shot in off the crossbar.

Gillingham pulled one back immediately, as Jay Emmanuel Thomas bundled his way into the area and squared for a Nouble tap in.

Their equaliser was a carbon copy of their first, Emmanuel Thomas driving a low ball across from the right for Nouble to slam home two minutes from the break.

Brackley boss Kevin Wilkin said: “Obviously I’m delighted that we remain unbeaten, but there’s disappointment in there to get yourself two up and not close the game out.

“At 1-0 we had two or three really good chances that can put the game to bed and we haven’t taken them.

“Jimmy scored a second, 2-0, again a little bit of naivety we’ve allowed them straight back into the game literally minutes after scoring our second goal.

“It was just a little lack of concentration, but credit to Gillingham they’re having a tough season and battled manfully there – it makes for an interesting replay later this month.”