Gareth Ainsworth stunned by Jekyll and Hyde Gillingham display in Barrow draw

Gillingham manager Gareth Ainsworth was shocked by his side’s second-half performance in their 2-2 home draw with Barrow.

The Gills were in total charge at half-time following Jack Earing’s own goal and a strike from Aaron Rowe.

But Josh Gordon bagged an unlikely brace to rescue a point with seven minutes to go to condemn Gillingham to a fifth successive draw.

Ainsworth said: “It was two halves and I am really disappointed. We were so good in the first half and took the game to them.

“We created numerous chances in the first half and I was expecting that in the second half.

“You have to give credit to the opposition but that was a shock to me. If we are going to concede goals like that, then we are going to have to score three and four goals.

“I am bewildered why we dropped so deep and started to defend the lead when I asked them at half-time to go and score more goals.

“We have done that to teams before and it’s not nice being on the end of it. We were not as good in the second half by a long shot.

“Two should be enough, especially at half-time, no matter what Barrow come out with.

“You expect to get chances and we didn’t take them. There are bits that I am really annoyed at and I have told the lads.

“We looked a different side in the second half and I have to address that.”

Interim Barrow head coach Neil McDonald praises his side’s ability to turn the game on its head.

“The first half didn’t go according to plan,” he said. “Gillingham were really strong and aggressive in their attack and got into the space we left.

“We conceded two goals that are avoidable, which is the most disappointing thing.

“We were brave enough to change it to a different system and we grew into the game.

“The boys showed what they are about in the second half. The passing and movement was much better.

“Our passing game really got going in the first half. Our goals were fantastic and in the end I thought there was only going to be one winner, which was us.

“Gillingham were really good in the first half and put us under pressure, they asked us questions and we didn’t defend as well as we should have done.

“We had to try and change it and change the momentum, which we did. The passing and the end product in the second half was much better.

“I have got every praise for the players, they never gave in or stopped, they kept on forcing the issue and asking the questions and got their reward.”