Manager Gareth Ainsworth believes his Gillingham side is capable of ‘blowing away the rest of League 2’ after battling back for a point at Priestfield.
The Gills were chasing the game at Priestfield after conceding on 10 minutes against Cambridge. They equalised when Max Clark headed home a corner – just after Robbie McKenzie had a penalty saved – and had the bulk of the chances.
It ended 1-1 – a sixth draw in seven for the Gills – but Ainsworth was happy with the way his team played.
“There was one team in it second-half,” he said.
“(It was a) sloppy goal to concede, but I think at the end of the first-half, we’d had seven shots to their one, and then at the end of the second half, we’re nearly 20 shots at their goal to their five or six.
“That, to me, is us back to our best, the aggressors. I thought (striker) Josh Andrews was magnificent. I don’t often single people out, but I think it shows we’ve definitely missed him.
“I think Cambridge were happy for the final whistle.
“We wanted 10 minutes more to maybe kick on.”
McKenzie had seen his penalty saved after Armani Little was tripped in the box, but from the resulting corner, Bradley Dack swung the ball to the back post, where Clark was on hand to head home.
Dack had a couple of shots saved as the Gills went for the win, but they had to settle for a point.
Ainsworth said: “It was brilliant for us to score, especially after just missing a penalty.
“I think we’ve missed more penalties than some teams have had penalties this season. We need to sort that out.
“We definitely deserved the point, probably a little bit more.”
Cambridge’s early goal had come from a free-kick, launched into the box and headed back across the goal, where Louis Appere was on hand to score.
Ainsworth said: “Cambridge are on a good run. They bully teams. They’re quite big. They’re very physical. They’re great runners.
“I said (before the game that) set-pieces are one of their biggest strengths. They’re one of the best teams in the league.
“Lo and behold, they score from a second-phase set-piece. We’ve got to be better at those moments.
“We had our moments in the first half but we just didn’t make them count. That’s what the story is. It’s been the story for a while. But we’re so pleased the way we came back into the game and then took it to them really, second-half.
“It helps when you’re in front of a Rainham End like that. They were fantastic. I know their understanding. I know it’s a journey that they’re buying into.
“I want to succeed as quick as possible. Don’t worry about that. This isn’t me saying, ‘wait, wait, wait’. I want success now. It might not come but when you have your players back like Conor Masterson on the bench, Josh Andrews coming back into the team. It really bolsters us.”
Ainsworth had spoken of “must win”games in recent weeks. He hasn’t got them but he said: “I asked them to win every game (over Christmas). We got a point. I thought we deserved probably more.
“They can have that one. But take your moments. Be the hero in front of the Rainham End. We certainly put it on them second half.
“This was a form team coming to us. They were in the top three or four of the form table – I think they’re 13 unbeaten.
“We’ve got to make sure that we take our opportunities when we’re playing like that, when we’re playing like that second half.
“But then I’ve got to step back to the manager and go, was the performance good enough? Yes, it was. So if we keep performing like that, we’ll blow teams away in this league.
“Cambridge were a form team. So fair play to them and fair play to Neil (Harris, the manager).
“He took a bit of stick from the crowd. But his teams are always solid. They’re always hard to break down. They’re always good at set-pieces. They always run for him. Very similar to myself. But when there was any football played, I thought we played the better of it in that middle part.
“Aaron Rowe got the ball down a couple of times. Max Clark with some reverse passes. One or two hairy moments. But I’m really pleased with where we are at the moment.
“I don’t think Neil will be disappointed. I think he’ll be quite happy to have left with a point.
“All managers see (things through) rose tinted glasses. But mine, I think, are well justified.
“It was nice to have the players back that I got back. It was tough decisions. Who to leave out of the team? Who to leave out of the squad? But everyone’s given everything. I’m really pleased.”
