Gillingham’s ‘fantastic’ fans were praised by manager Gareth Ainsworth after they turned up in their numbers again at Accrington.
A crowd of 2,302 was at the Wham Stadium to watch the game – the lowest turnout in League 2 by some distance – and almost a quarter of those spectators were supporting Gillingham. Most of the 610 fans backing the Gills had made the 600-mile round trip on the day.
Gillingham had 350 fans at Accrington last season when the Gills were sitting 19th in the table with little to play for.
Those numbers were boosted by the optimism of the new league season.
“The fans were fantastic,” said Ainsworth.
“The cheer when Armani Little put the corner in (for the equaliser) was just brilliant. Thank you for that. You helped us get that point.
“600-plus is ridiculous. First game of the season.”
Home defender Devon Matthews was credited with getting the last touch on Little’s 79th-minute corner that cancelled out Tyler Walton’s opener.
Ainsworth said: “We came up on Friday and we got caught in a seven-hour jam. Seven and a half hours up to Accrington.
“I’ve got to give credit to the boys. Chairman Brad (Galinson) was there with Shannon. They’ve done wonders putting us in a nice hotel, making it all comfortable for us and I’m glad to say we took something down the road. It’s nice.
“I would have loved three points, but I tell you, it’s a tough place to come.
“What’s important is the way we came back into it. We were 1-0 down, and when we score in front of our fans like we did, it gives them something to cheer about, it gives them something to come to Priestfield for (next week), and I’m looking forward to the home game.”
Gillingham’s next game is at home to Walsall next Saturday (August 9).
