Gareth Ainsworth happy with Gillingham reaction in draw with Port Vale
Ronan Hale’s opener for Gills was cancelled out by Keyrol Figueroa.
Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth was pleased with his side’s reaction as they secured a 1-1 draw with Port Vale.
Ronan Hale opened the scoring for the hosts from the penalty spot, before Keyrol Figueroa levelled in the second half.
Ainsworth was a frustrated man at the weekend after their 3-1 defeat at Accrington.
But reflecting on the draw, Ainsworth said: “It was a game of two halves. We dominated the first half and forced them into three changes at half-time. With the amount of injuries we’ve got at the moment that’s a good point.
“I had to start a couple who are nowhere near ready to be starting. I had a phone call at one o’clock saying Lamin Sillah can’t start because of a hand injury we have to be careful of and then three o’clock I get a phone call saying Robbie McKenzie’s missus is going into labour so it’s tough because that’s two starters out.
“At the end there we’re bringing on kids. Fair play to those boys, they’ve given everything. I’m really behind the boys. They’ve made a statement that Accrington wasn’t good enough and put it right out there.
“It was a good reaction from Saturday and if we beat Grimsby on Saturday then it’s a great four points. It was a great performance to show we aren’t the team that collapsed last year.
“We were on Saturday. There were too many similarities to last season, but I told them that doesn’t happen again and the boys definitely didn’t let that happen again.”
Vale came from behind to ensure they made it three league games without defeat.
Boss Jon Brady said: “I feel we’re connecting. I feel we’re building. I feel the belief’s there.
“We lacked energy in the first half. We have spoken about it and it won’t be happening again.
“This is a gruelling one being away to Gillingham and then away at York.
“It was so important to keep the momentum going. We’re all disappointed with that first half, that didn’t resemble us of late.
“There were some choice words at half-time in a strong, constructive way. I needed to make changes. I want us to be aggressive.
“We never penetrated their backline in the first half. Everything wanted to be in front. Once the two young ones came on, we were so much better and that’s what I was really pleased about.
“All of the subs added real energy. That’s what the game’s about because you’re not going to be brilliant week in, week out.”