Matt Fish celebrates after scoring the only goal of the game against Accrington Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Luke Cawdell

Gills manager Martin Allen was a proud man to see Matt Fish hit the match winner on Saturday.

Allen admits he was unaware of the defender before his arrival at Priestfield in the summer but has been won over.

Allen said: “I didn’t know anything about Fish when I arrived. He is a great lad and desperate to get better. The goal couldn’t have gone to a nicer, more dedicated, hard working young man.

“He has worked so hard and he has practiced so much. As a manager, you watch him from that technical area and look at him so proud. He is a top lad, on and off the field.”

The 24th-minute strike, fired home from 25 yards, was all that separated the sides on Saturday.

Describing the goal, Allen said: “It was unbelievable. I have never seen Fish kick it with his left foot. It went in like a missile.

“What a great moment for him. He’s been fantastic this season.”

Allen was asked if it reminded him of a goal he scored himself for QPR at Southampton.

Allen added: “My days are gone and I get fined if I talk about what I used to do.

“It is the Gillingham players who deserve all the credit and if I start talking about bits and pieces from the old days, I would bore everybody. Talking about yourself is horrible.

“This is about the Gillingham players now and if you start talking about scoring 25-yard screamers against Peter Shilton, that’s fine time.”