Relieved as Gills ease drop fears
NEIL Harris knows it is not about pretty football but all about winning at this stage of the season as his relegation-threatened Gillingham side celebrated a crucial victory.
The Gills took the lead after 64 minutes when Vadaine Oliver’s effort was tipped away by teenage debutant keeper Liam Isherwood and the ball fell to Charlie Kelman who headed home.
It was two after 73 minutes when a ball in from Daniel Phillips found Oliver who headed home his tenth goal of the season. Colby Bishop scored a late penalty for Stanley but Gills held on.
“It was an ugly victory, I have got to be honest,” said Gills boss Harris, whose side are now four points above the relegation zone.
“It’s not about the performance at this stage of the season, it’s about finding a way to win and we did. We needed to stand strong at key moments and in my opinion our keeper Aaron Chapman was man of the match, he made some great saves. Then we were clinical and it’s always pleasing when your strikers score.
“There were a few choice words at halftime as I felt certain players needed to be more aggressive in their approach and we got a response.
It’s another three points, it’s another step forward, it’s another game chalked off but we know the table can flip quickly so we just have to take it one game at a time.”
Stanley were unbeaten in nine games at home and it needed superb saves from their former keeper Chapman to keep out the Reds with the game goalless.
He kept out a Bishop overhead kick, denied Korede Adeoyin when he was clean through and spectacularly kept out a Ross Sykes header – although there were appeals it crossed the line.
The Reds were awarded a penalty after 91 minutes for a foul on Harvey Rodgers and Bishop stroked the ball home.
They had another spot-kick appeal in the 96th minute following a challenge on Sykes but nothing was given.
Stanley boss John Coleman said: “It was a rip-roaring finish and we got given the weakest of our three penalty appeals. I don’t know how the foul on Ross is not a penalty, there can be no explanation. I am at my wits end to know why it wasn’t given.”