Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler was delighted to see his team’s patience pay off.

The Gills endured a frustrating opening half against Plymouth and it wasn’t until the 74th minute that the breakthrough came in a game they went on to win 3-0.

Once Danny Kedwell had struck the penalty a breathtaking Luke Rooney effort followed with another penalty rounding-off proceedings to leave the Gills boss ecstatic.

“With a clean sheet and three goals we can’t ask for any more from the players,” said Hessenthaler (pictured).

“At half time we told them we needed to be patient, which we were. We knew we would have to be like that. They came to us and set up in a 4-5-1 formation to try and frustrate us a bit. That’s one thing I don’t think we did, we didn’t get frustrated.

“We just kept plugging away and at half time we said hopefully something would happen for us.

“I felt a bit sorry for Plymouth because they came and worked their socks off. It’s tough on them. When things aren’t going for you that tends to happen.

“We are delighted with ourselves and I was pleased with us defensively because we had a lot of the play and sometimes you can switch off and get punished.

"Defensively we were very good, even though we didn’t have a lot to do. You still have to concentrate and I thought we did that well.”

When the goal did finally arrive it came from the penalty spot, albeit in strange circumstances as the officials all had differing opinions on the incident. Curtis Weston netted but play was brought back for a handball and a penalty finally awarded.

“At the time the linesman signaled across his chest so he was giving the penalty and then the fourth official is telling me he has given offside,” said a bemused Hessenthaler.

“The referee has given the goal because he hasn’t seen the flag go up. I don’t see a reason why he didn’t just give the goal because he is saying we have scored, there is an advantage but he decided to pull it back. There could have been uproar if we had missed it.”

For lifelong Gillingham fan Danny Kedwell it was the chance to finally get off the mark and he ended the game eventually scoring twice.

“You could see he was getting frustrated and I said before the game, ‘I am sure you will get one’,” Hessenthaler said.

“I didn’t see the penalties, I don’t watch them. I get a bit nervous with them and I didn’t even watch the second one. I am delighted for him.”

Picture: Barry Goodwin

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