Never mind the quality, just enjoy the result

An infrequent Posh observer would have been forgiven for thinking Steve Evans was still in charge at the ABAX.

This win was built on a solid, no-nonsense defence, a set-piece goal and a late strike following a huge punt out of defence by Jason Naismith.

The passing was often slow and inaccurate, but energy levels were high in the second-half to gain a second straight League One win and a second successive clean sheet.

At this stage of this season winning is everything and credit the actual boss Darren Ferguson for adapting to the strengths of the squad he inherited as well as making the players understand how he wants to play.

It’s been good enough to beat two teams playing mediocre football, but whereas first victims Southend were in complete freefall, Gillingham have goal-power and have beaten Portsmouth twice this season as well as impressing in a draw at runaway League One leaders Luton Town recently.

But 20-goal Tom Eaves and co were shackled by excellent Posh centre-backs Ryan Tafazolli and Rhys Bennett which meant a lacklustre display in the first-half wasn’t punished.

Thankfully the team’s gifted attacking players came alive twice in the second-half with Siriki Dembele winning a penalty that Marcus Maddison converted easily and Matt Godden rounding off a fine exchange of passes with Maddison for the match-clinching strike towards the end.

It wasn’t a pretty spectacle for another crowd boosted considerably by kids on free tickets, but it was an effective one. Posh’s 6ft 7ins goalkeeper Aaron Chapman made a fine low save to thwart Eaves just before the break, while Gillingham’s even bigger goalkeeper Tomas Holy thwarted Ivan Toney in an otherwise mundane first half.

Results are what matter though and this one kept Posh in touch with the playoff places.

A 20-goal striker was shackled superbly by the Posh centre-backs.

Marcus Maddison opens the scoring for Posh from the penalty spot.