Manager Gareth Ainsworth revelled in a dramatic afternoon at Priestfield as Gillingham came from behind to win a thrilling contest.
Newport County twice took the lead in the League 2 match, but Conor Masterson scored Gillingham’s first equaliser, and Armani Little made it 2-2 from the penalty spot before Garath McCleary won it.
Report: Gillingham 3 Newport 2
The Gills withstood some late Newport pressure to win the game – one that was extended after a member of the crowd was called upon to take over fourth official duties following an injury to one of the referee’s assistants.
“Oh my god, what a game,” said the Gills boss.
“What a win. The fans certainly got their money’s worth, and I am so glad we got on the end of a good result at home, because we have waited for a while.”
The Gills hadn’t won at home since mid-September, and they did it the hard way against Newport.
Ainsworth said: “The players turned up, but we also conceded too many chances against us, but wow, we found a way to win in a crazy game.
“I am so proud of the boys and the fans and everyone who’s been involved in it, and the players that didn’t play. A real crazy game emotionally.
“I just changed a little bit formation-wise just to try and get more offence on their back line, but still not trying to concede too many chances. It’s worked.
“Some of the big players turned up, definitely, and made a difference, but there were some awesome moments in the game.
“I’ve got subs coming on and blocking with all of their life to get the result over the line. Fantastic performance.”
The Gills had fallen behind to a fourth-minute goal before Conor Masterson levelled it up after half an hour.
Gillingham missed a number of good chances to then go ahead, and it looked like it had cost them when Cameron Antwi put Newport ahead but Little converted a penalty and McCleary headed in a winner.
Ainsworth said: “We created a lot of chances going forward, we could have been out of sight.
“Defensively, we just want to tighten up a little bit, especially on set-pieces. I didn’t think we were good at them and that’s been one of our strengths.
“But three points, brilliant. Really, really pleased.
“We wore Newport down. We really did. I thought we wore them down at the back and they had a few chances at the end there when they’re throwing absolute caution to the wind and going for it.
“Some big moments at the end got us over the line in what was a crazy game.”
