Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth praised his depleted squad after a late Fleetwood equaliser denied his team victory at Priestfield.
The Gills boss highlighted the players that were missing from his team as they took on Fleetwood in Saturday’s mid-table League 2 clash.
Report: Gillingham 1 Fleetwood 1
Injuries to the likes of Bradley Dack, Omar Beckles, Armani Little and Cameron Antwi led to recalls to the squad for Shad Ogie and Jonny Williams after months out on the sidelines.
Seb Palmer-Houlden’s goal looked like it could have won it for Gillingham but Fleetwood came on strong at the end and nicked a late equaliser.
“I’m proud of the boys,” said the Gills boss.
“We’re missing some big players through injury at the moment. We came back from Barrow [last week] with four leaders down, experienced players who’ve been there and done it.
“Everyone’s a little bit down, and everyone’s like, ‘Oh, we lost the points in the last minute’. Fair enough, but wow, we’re missing Dack, [Garath] McCleary’s still out, Cameron [Antwi], Beckles, [Conor] Masterson, Little.
“There’s a lot of big names on the touchline there. I went in the dressing room before the game and thought, ‘Wow, this is a decent team in here, never mind what’s going out there [to play]’.
“Having said that, well done boys. You stood up to a challenge with not many leaders on the pitch, quite young at times.”
The Gills didn’t manage to create many openings with just six shots and three of those on target. Fleetwood had 14 shots, had more of the ball and were deserving of a point.
“I thought first-half we rode our luck,” admitted the Gills boss.
“I’ll take some blame because I wanted to turn Fleetwood and put them on the back foot, but we did it in every single pass we tried.
“I’m thinking, ‘Right, don’t do it every time!’ The lads are doing what I’m asking. We’re battling for second balls. We were limiting them, second half definitely.
“First half, I thought they had too many [chances]. They had flashes across our goal and they could have scored. Second half, some real positives.”
Seb Palmer-Houlden got his first league goal since October with a 61st minute opener.
“Seb getting his goal was brilliant,” Ainsworth said. “Shad, not played for so long, come in. I thought he had a decent game, as did Jonny Williams.
“We could have played a little bit more at times. Not overplayed because we did that against Bromley. Got smashed when they stepped on to us. We didn’t turn Bromley enough.
“There’s a happy medium in there somewhere and fair play to the boys. They’ve given me everything. Thank you. I’m proud of that.
“If anyone wants to have a go at my boys, then come through me first because I will protect those boys.
“They were down at the end. They were gutted. I said to them, ‘Don’t worry. We’ll get in there. You’ve given me everything’. That’s all I ask.
“We could have been better. A few more decisions at times. A few more little moves at times. But we haven’t been beat – well done.”
The Gills had lost 3-0 against Oldham last time at home and fans vented their anger afterwards.
There were some more boos at the end of this one.
“It was a fair result, definitely,” said Ainsworth.
“I’m not going to dress things up and go, ‘Oh no, we were the better team’ and try and convince the fans otherwise, because we’re getting a bit of stick. No chance. 1-1 is a fair result.
“I’m a realist and I’m really pleased we scored.
“Oldham wasn’t good enough. I said that. It’s one game where I’ve said it wasn’t good enough. That [against Fleetwood] was good enough. Thank you, boys. You emptied the tank.
“They’ve given everything. That hurts me when there’s a few boos at the end. I know they might not be booing [the team]. If they’re booing me, that’s fine. If they’re booing the referee, even better. But the lads have given everything. They really have. They’re knackered.
“I’m putting [defender] Travis [Akomeah] on in midfield second half because we haven’t got midfielders on the bench fit. I’ve got three in the treatment room.
“They were devastated in the dressing room after the game. I’ve said to them, ‘Well done’ because we’re missing some key players.
“I’m one injury away from calling a youth team player up to the team. That’s where we are. Fair play, boys. Well done. We’ll go again Tuesday [at home to MK Dons] and get ready because that’s going to be a tough one.”
Ainsworth was asked about the penalty appeal when 1-0 up. Jonny Williams went down in the box from a challenge.
The referee said no and Fleetwood were level moments later.
“I was certainly frustrated,” he said. “And I thought there was a handball just before their goal as well, when [the ball was] kept in the pitch but we don’t seem to be getting those [decisions].
“But it’s a step forward from two weeks ago against Oldham.”
