Gills due a big slice of luck, says boss

GILLS boss Steve Evans believes his players are due a large slice of luck after fine margins proved the difference once again in defeat to Peterborough.

After the hosts had dominated the first-half, Joe Ward put the away side ahead with a stunning 25-yard shot, before Mark Bryne gifted the opposition penalty, with Mo Eisa converting.

But there were plenty of bright spells for the Gills, who missed numerous chances to draw level, with, sub Mikael Mandron’s 80th-minute strike – his first goal for the club – being one of the positives.

“I’m scratching my head as I’m thinking I must have driven over a black cat when I joined Gillingham because we’ve not had any luck this season,” said Evans.

“I think everybody in the stadium thinks we deserved more than we got today. The boys battled well but we’re disappointed.

“We’ve not had a decision, a bounce of the ball nor a mistake go in our favour. We’ll play a lot worse this season and we’ll win.”

Ward put Darren Ferguson’s side ahead five minutes before the break with a swerving, long-range shot that left Gills goalkeeper Jack Bonham stranded.

Eisa’s penalty six minutes into the second half – awarded after Byrne handled Joe Ward’s driven corner – sealed a third Peterborough victory at Priestfield from their last four visits.

Mandron brought the game back to life 10 minutes from time when he slotted past Christy Pym.

The hosts were punished for not taking their chances: Mikael Ndjoli was denied brilliantly by Pym in the opening two minutes, but were unlucky not to get a result when sub Alex Jakubiak skimmed the crossbar in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

“It’s a big win. It wasn’t anywhere near a brilliant performance, nor was it easy to watch on the eye, but psychologically it was an important win,” said Ferguson.

“We weren’t anywhere near where we can be today, but we managed to dig out a result. When you come to Gillingham that’s what it’s all about.

“I think it may be the first time I’ve won here ... we told the players just to get the win and get on that bus home tonight.”