Gillingham’s “incredible” support at Cheltenham was described as “Championship standard” by the manager.
The Gills are well-adrift of the promotion race in League 2 and can’t go down either, but the fans still turned up in their numbers for a bottom-half fixture in Gloucestershire.
More: Cheltenham 1 Gillingham 1
For those travelling from Kent, it was a three-hour journey west – four for some who encountered the Bank Holiday traffic – and Ainsworth was blown away by the support.
“Wow, that’s Championship standard support,” said the Gills boss after being told the away attendance.
“Fans, thank you so much.”
The 732 away fans at the EV Charger Points Stadium had an early goal to celebrate but were left frustrated at seeing a second ruled out by the referee.
A draw away from home maintains the club’s unbeaten run, extended to nine games after the Good Friday draw. They’ve lost just two in 15, and Ainsworth’s gone six unbeaten since taking charge.
“They had a hell of a roar when we scored first,” the manager said.
“I wish the goals would be at their end – I’ll try and arrange that! Then they went mental when Sam (Gale) scored, but then it was disallowed very quickly. But 732 fans, thank you so much. That is really incredible.
“For a Good Friday, for a team who can’t go down and can’t go up. Wow, that is immense. Thank you so much. It’s astounded me.”
The Gills have three games left this season and sit 17th in the table and after a disappointing campaign.
Ainsworth’s hoping he can help bring the success those fans crave.
He said: “I want to deliver for this club and it’s going to be a two-way street. They get behind us and I want to deliver for them.
“I’m hoping that people have seen us a bit more solid, a bit more resilient now.
“Some of the staff have said to me earlier in the season, we may have collapsed in games like that (at Cheltenham). It was resilient. It was great. The lads are enjoying it.
“I’m really proud to be here. It’s going quick. There’s been six games in three weeks. It’s crazy. It’s going to be seven in another couple of days.
“Games have been thick and fast, but with support like that and with a club like we’ve got, we can get on this journey and we can start building something special.
“We’re proud and we want to win things.
“Over 700 fans making that trip. It’s a long way. I have massive, massive respect, even more than I did, for our away supporters. If we keep doing that, we’re going to have success together.
“I’m hoping the fans can see everyone run their socks off and give everything. That’s the remit now when you put a Gills shirt on. Hopefully, as fans, as players, we can succeed together.”
