Gillingham didn’t get the result they needed on Tuesday at Stevenage but the manager had plenty to be pleased about.
The Gills had to win by two clear goals, or secure a victory by scoring three or more, to have qualified for the knockout stages. It was a big ask against League 1 opposition but they weren’t far off.
Josh Andrews put the Gills ahead and three big chances came and went in the second half to double the lead before Stevenage equalised. The game finished 1-1 with Mark Bonner’s League 2 side claiming an extra point with a win on penalties at the end.
“I really enjoyed the game,” said manager Bonner. “I thought it was probably lots of what we thought it would be.
“We had a period after we scored where we might have made a bit more of and we started the second half really well.
“We had the chance where Joe Gbode whistles one past the post, Jack Nolan whistles one past the post, somehow Conor (Masterson’s) header hasn’t gone in and then we sort of gift them a moment and Dan Kemp’s not going to pass that one up when you give him it.
“We had the chances to go two up and get ourselves to that position in the game that might have seen us through.
“Being truthful, that wasn’t probably the priority, it was definitely the ambition but the priority was to play some of the boys that didn’t play (on Saturday), haven’t played, certainly at the front end of the pitch, stick with a shape we’ve worked a little bit on in the last couple of games and give a few other players a chance to play in it.
“They had a changed side as well but made some really strong changes in the second half.”
Bonner made seven changes to his side from their weekend league game. Andrews got a start, as did the likes of Jonny Williams and Joe Gbode.
The Gills played well in spells against a side that included some quality players, including their own former forward Elliott List.
Bonner said: “I thought the difference between our good bits and bad bits in the game was too big, and there was a bit of inconsistent streak through the game.
“There were bits of it I really liked and then there were pockets of the game I just thought ‘oh that’s horrible, why are we accepting that from each other’ and I thought our intensity was better second half.
“There were certainly some individuals that have done themselves a good favour.
“There was two or three really good performances which I’m really happy with and off the back of a good result at the weekend, that’s not the worst result really, it just feels like a little bit of momentum can just keep building and a worthwhile game for everybody.”
A 1-1 draw after 90 minutes ensured Stevenage had done enough to quality and it knocked the Gills out but they still had to go through the formalities of a penalty shootout to determined the winner on the night.
Gillingham youth player Stan Sargent was among those to score as Bonner’s men took the penalty honours 5-4. Former Stevenage player Max Clark, Jonny Williams, Jack Nolan and Marcus Wyllie – with the winner – all converted from the spot.
Bonner was asked if he enjoyed the extra addition to the game.
He said: “No, I didn’t really, I mean it’s fine isn’t it? It’s enjoyable to watch and I’m gutted that we didn’t do it at the (away) end so our supporters could see a little bit of action.
“When it’s just irrelevant it was a bit of a strange one and you probably could have called that tonight but it’s another quirky rule in this competition.
“They were solid, calm (penalties), let’s see when it matters if they’ve got that composure.”
