What a team – Gareth Ainsworth hails Gillingham as they equal unbeaten record

Gareth Ainsworth hailed his Gillingham side after equalling a club record 20 games unbeaten with a 1-0 win over Notts County.

The Gills fired themselves joint-top of League Two thanks to Josh Andrews’ second goal in as many games.

And Ainsworth, who has overseen an amazing transition at Priestfield, said: “To equal that record is some feat for this group of boys.

“It’s not something we spoke about in the week but in 130 years of Gillingham history, to equal that longest ever unbeaten run fair play to the players. Fair play to the supporters and the staff around me.

“They thoroughly deserve it. I’m so, so proud of them.

“Today was a real team performance. I hope everyone sees the grit, the running and the leaders.

“This team is there for each other. There are quality moves and good football but some of the absolute ‘you aren’t scoring against us’… you can’t buy that. What a team.

“We had some knocks this week, three midfielders out injured. We could easily have felt everything was against us.

“They went ‘we’ll show the world with this performance’ and they did.

“I’m so proud of them. To keep this run going is incredible. It makes selection tough because they’re all playing out of their skins.”

Towering striker Andrews’ header was enough to separate the two teams as the Magpies slipped to a first defeat in five league matches.

Boss Martin Paterson said: “It was always going to be a tough game.

“The thing for me is when you come away from home you need the ball in the danger areas.

“What really disappoints me is we start the second half and we do something I’m working so hard to get out of the philosophy. I won’t say anymore than that because I’m absolutely livid with it.

“I’m livid with the manner of the goal. I’m doing all I can for the greater good.

“I want to be positive. I don’t want to sit and guess. I got technicians on and we still played negative football.

“We work on positive football so I’m disappointed with us all.

“The players didn’t go against what I want to do, that’s the wrong term. But when they’re under pressure they resort to type.

“We went on a mini run, done some good stuff and looked threatening. It’s the first time we’ve not scored this season.

“I don’t want to make this a negative interview but I’m honest. I think we bedded ourselves into the game and could have taken the game away from them. But we’ve given it to them.

“The positives over the last four games being unbeaten its irrelevant because I take games in isolation. But the group is moving forward.”