PLAY-OFF CHALLENGE IS STILL ON INSISTS BULLISH BOSS ROBINSON

By Tom Poole

SALFORD CITY 2

Stockton 8, Nmai 15

GILLINGHAM 2

Nevitt 2, Hutton 24

SALFORD: Young 6, Shephard 7 (Edwards 84, 6), Tilt 7, Garbutt 6, GILLINGHAM: Morris 6, Gale 7, Masterson 7, Ogie 7, Hutton 7, Mnoga 8, Ashley 7, Fornah 7, Adelakun 6, Woodburn 6 (Lund 82, McKenzie 7, Little 7, Clark 8, Clarke 7 (J Williams 64, 6), Nevitt 6), Nmai 8, Stockton 8. Subs not used: Austerfield, Jones, Longelo, 7, Hawkins 7 (Gbode 71, 6). Subs not used: Agbinone, Holtam, Warrington, Wright. Rowe, Morgan, E Williams.

Att: 2,914 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Will Finnie 6/10

SALFORD CITY manager Karl Robinson still believes his side can reach the play-offs this season as he declared ‘we are still challenging’.

This 2-2home draw with the Gills may now leave them seven points adrift of seventh-placed Grimsby, but he is not about to give up the chase.

A crazy opening 24 minutes saw Elliott Nevitt put the visitors ahead, only for Salford to respond through Cole Stockton and Kelly Nmai in the eighth and 15th minutes.

However, Remeao Hutton then made it 2-2and although Salford shaded the chances for the remainder of the game, they couldn’t find a winner.

“We’re still challenging for them (the play-offs),” said Robinson, whose side have six league games left to play. “The points tally is still within reach with six games to go now and we’ve come such a long way.

“Don’t forget, it’s not like we’ve paid any money for this team, this is a completely ‘free team’ since I’ve been in the building and all we’ve done is sell our best players in the transfer windows but we’ve managed to create a greater market value team on the pitch. It shows you that we have incredible value for the players we have and I still feel anything is possible. I can’t see why we can’t go on a massive run between now and the end of the season.”

Just two minutes were on the clock when Nevitt cut into the Salford box and saw his shot deflect and loop past Matty Young. The hosts were level five minutes later though as Stockton on got on the end of an incisive low cross from Ben Woodburn, to bag his third goal in three games.

Nmai then put Salford in front as he was afforded d space to gallop goalwards before unleashing a superb finish. But Gillingham made it 2-2in the 24th minute as Hutton cut into the box and shaped an excellent left-footed curling shot into the top corner.

Gills manager Gareth Ainsworth was pleased to continue his unbeaten run since coming in as manager.

“Another great second half performance of defensive resilience and some cracking goals in the game – it was definitely one for the neutrals today,” he said.

“There was a lack of quality at times, from both teams.

“Neither team got it going in the second half and all the damage was already done.”