WALSALL 2-1 GILLINGHAM
AN Andrew Crofts thunderbolt was not enough to prevent Gillingham slipping to their ninth away defeat of the season as an in-form Walsall side took maximum points.
With Simon Royce suspended after his sending off in the 0-0 draw with Oldham last week, Derek Stillie came into the starting line-up.
The Scot had little to do before veteran striker Tommy Mooney nodded the hosts in front on 28 minutes.
Walsall lost at Priestfield earlier in the season but went into the game on a long unbeaten run in League One which stretched back to October. While they created the better chances, Gills enjoyed much of the possession, with Mark Bentley and Stuart Thurgood coming close to silencing the home crowd.
On the hour Gills boss Mark Stimson brought on Garry Richards for his debut. The centre-back signed from Southend United on Friday and partnered Adam Bygrave at the heart of defence.
The visitors looked more likely to score in the second half and Mooney had to be alert to clear an effort from John Nutter off the line.
As they pushed forward in search of an equaliser, Gills were hit on the counter attack on 72 minutes when Edrissa Sonko rounded off a flowing move to make it 2-0.
Crofts reduced the deficit in injury time with a superb strike from 30 yards, but it was too little too late as Gills lost for the second time in three games.
Despite the disappointing result, Nutter believes the team are moving in the right direction.
He said: “The squad is still gelling together a little bit because the gaffer has got his own ideas and everyone is still getting those on board but they are coming together.
“I think the last five or six games you have seen some decent performances and hopefully we can turn that into ten or 11and then we can start thinking where we can finish.”
The 25-year-old has quickly established himself as a fans’ favourite with his composed performances at left-back since arriving from Stevenage Borough in November.
He initially spent a month on the sidelines due to restrictions on the number of loan players a club could field simultaneously, but since making his debut on Boxing Day he has been an ever-present.
He said: “I was prepared to wait considering I had taken a big step up but it has been fine.
“I was fairly confident I could do it but obviously you look forward to the challenge. I have really enjoyed it, if anything I think it has improved me so hopefully I can keep doing it.”
POSTED: 28/01/2008 10:52:59
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