Gareth Ainsworth already planning for next season after late win over Shrewsbury

Gillingham boss Gareth Ainsworth is already looking towards next season after they signed off the campaign with a 1-0 victory against Shrewsbury.

Garath McCleary secured a smash-and-grab victory for the Gills in the second minute of stoppage time at Priestfield.

And Ainsworth, whose side were hit for six last week at Barnet, said: “The performance was bang average. I don’t like saying that, but that’s me being honest.

“We didn’t have as many chances as they did. They should have scored a couple. If we had those chances we would have scored because my strikers are good.

“But we don’t create those chances, we need to get those players in who can help create those chances.

“A bit of magic from Garath McCleary has won it. He’s a class act.

“We’ve been very good in some games and got nothing so that’s one where it has evened itself out.

“I’m so proud of the boys for what they’ve done this season. It’s not been easy, it has not been easy.

“We’ve dumbed down a few things that have happened. The [heart] surgery for me wasn’t great and trying to come back a little bit earlier because I could see things were difficult. That was tough.

“The injury list was tough but we’re going to sort it out next season.

“I think we’ve finished in the same position as last season so no progress. But I want it next year, I want a big summer recruitment wise. Those talks have happened.

“You’ll learn in the morning that some of those players in the team won’t be here next season.”

The Shrews squandered a number of good chances and boss Gavin Cowan admitted: “It was an incredibly disappointing end.

“If it was a boxing match I think it would have been stopped. We were by far and away the better team.

“All of that and all of the hot air ultimately led to nothing. I think if it was five or six I wouldn’t have been shocked, and I don’t think anyone would have been surprised.

“For all of the brilliant play, we almost don’t want the season to finish because the players have found their level.

“Football’s about moments, we had plenty and didn’t take them and they have one at the end and win it.

“We’ve been sucker-punched and we should have been out of sight.

“We were majestic, they couldn’t get near us. We told them to go and be brave and they showed how good they are. We had everything except a goal and the result.”