AINSWORTH VOWS TO RETURN GILLS TO THEIR FORMER GLORY

By David Pickering

GILLINGHAM 1

Dack 90+5

GILLINGHAM: Holtam 6, Gale 7, Masterson 8, Ogie 7, Hutton 7 (Clarke 83, 6), McKenzie 7, Little 7, Clark 7, Williams 6 (Gbode 45, 6), Nevitt 7, Rowe 6 (Dack 62, 7). Subs not used: Nolan, Agbinone, Morgan.

MK DONS 0

MK DONS: MacGillivray 7, Offord 6, Sanders 7, Maguire 7, O’Reilly 6, Lemonheigh-Evans 7, Thompson-Sommers 6 (Kelly 85), Tomlinson 7, Hendry 6 (White 66, 6), Gilbey 7 (Orsi-Dadomo 85), Hogan 6. Subs not used: Trueman, Leko, Nemane, Waller.

Att: 6,080 Rating: ★★★★★ Ref: Robert Massey-Ellis 5/10

GARETH Ainsworth said he is determined to restore Gillingham to their former glories following his first victory as manager.

Bradley Dack came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner and give Ainsworth his first win as Gills boss.

“I’m beginning to learn more about the culture of Gillingham and that’s important,” Ainsworth said.

“Clubs in these areas, you can’t change them.

You’ve got to make them better and bigger and more successful and add a few things yourself.

“I want Gillingham to be the Gillingham of old. It’s been too long. I want the fans to come here and know it’s tough for us to be beaten at home.

“I don’t think MK Dons had a shot on target and that’s fantastic.

“We’ve been good defensively, it’s scoring at the other end that I aim to make better come the end of the season.

“To win it in that manner, and for Bradley [Dack] to get the goal was great. He has been through a tough time, a hell of a time.”

Ainsworth’s side had the better of the early possession, with the first chance falling to Sam Gale. The defender’s low, drilled effort from the edge of the box being well saved by keeper Craig MacGillivray.

Scott Hogan had the ball in the net for MK Dons shortly after, but the offside flag was raised. MacGillivray then produced a strong save to deny Remeao Hutton, diving low to his left to parry away a powerful strike.

Both sides had early sights of goal in the second half, but neither Hogan nor Clark could test the goalkeepers.

The match looked destined to finish goalless, but Dack was well placed following a late set-piece and kept his composure to seal victory for Gillingham, latching onto Conor Masterson’s header across goal from a Max Clark free-kick and smashing it home from close range.

Interim MK Dons head coach Ben Gladwin believes the side will appoint a new manager this week.

“I am sure that one will be in this week,” he said.

“I have been told that we should expect to see one this week, which will be good news for everybody because the club really needs it.

“The players need it, so fingers crossed the club can get something sorted and give the players some direction.

“The boys dug in and competed today, but it’s very disappointing.”