Cody McDonald scores aagainst Accrington Picture: Barry Goodwin

Our panel of Gills fans react to the 3-1 home win over Accrington on Saturday which pushed Andy Hessenthaler's side to within four points of the automatic play-off positions in League 2. With other results from the weekend going Gillingham's way, the feeling is that at this stage of the season points are more important than performances.

DAVID GARTH

(Gillingham)

"I’ve heard a few people saying we were lucky to win the game but I don’t think that’s right. We adjusted in the second half and were the only side that was ever going to win it.

"I think we were a bit lucky to go in at half-time in front but we did much better in the second half. Lawrence at the back was a rock and I think he and Richard should be our settled pairing until the end of the season.

"It is all about results at this stage of the season and getting the three points is all that matters. It was a superb day with the other results going our way and automatic promotion is not out of the question with our run-in and the other teams having to play each other."

SAM LIVINGSTONE

(Pangbourne)

"It was a highly satisfactory performance from Gillingham on Saturday; it was efficient and got the job done, in the guise of three points.

"Not only did we win a very tricky tie against Accrington, who are on a good run of form, but we were the only team in the top seven to get three points, moving us within four points of the automatic places.

"With an easier run-in it once again begins to look highly possible that we could squeak into third place, especially with the unpredictability of all the results around us.

"It was good to see Andy Barcham back on the scoresheet and for the first time in a long time he seemed to be willing to run at their wing-backs causing no end of trouble.

"Once again Akinfenwa played a pivotal role and Cody grabbed a goal as well (despite missing an absolute sitter!)"

NEIL KLEE

(Strood)

"It was not the best we’ve played but at this stage of the season the points are more important than the performances.

"In the first half, three of the back four were all at sea, though I thought Lawrence had a good game.

"We didn’t have a grip on midfield in the first half and Accrington played some good football. Akinfenwa had probably his best game for us. His hold up play and ability in the air made him my man-of-the-match.

"Cody missed a couple of chances but I’ll forgive him that because he scored a good header, and Barcham (pictured) took his goals reasonably well.

"It was good at the end of the game to see the other results meant we had the best afternoon of all the top seven sides. Hopefully we can come back from the next two away games with something and try to keep pushing for automatic promotion because I want to avoid the play-offs if at all possible."

PAUL BLAKELEY

(Maidstone)

"Another vital three points for the Gills against a good footballing Accrington side. We somehow managed to go in at half-time 2-1 up after being thoroughly outplayed and having played some of the worst football I’ve seen us play this season.

"We were much better in the second half as gaps opened up and we could have scored a couple more. The entire team was off the boil in the first half, making some bizarre, panicky decisions, but the Hess rocket seemed to sort that out.

"If Accrington had a dominant striker they’d do very well with that style of play. It was pleasing to see Barcham not only grab a couple of goals, but also gradually get some more form back and really hassle the opposition defenders when they had the ball. With other results going our way it was a very useful and important three points."

RICHARD PEPPER

(Manston)

"Three points was what we all wanted and fortunately we got our wish. Sadly the first half looked like being a repeat performance of the best-forgotten away game. It was obvious the players still had a hangover from our last encounter.

"It was great to see Andy Barcham get back amongst the goals and he is getting back to the player we have missed all season.

"As strong as we are in the centre with Matt Lawrence and Garry Richards (pictured), we were exposed on the flanks once again, something Hess will have to address in the summer.

"Fortunately we enjoyed the rub of the green with their penalty miss and the quality of Barcham gave us a perhaps undeserved but vital three points.

"Nothing but wins will do now, irrespective of the opponent, so onto the next."

ALEX SARSON

(Wellingborough)

The first half started well and we played some good football leading to a goal, albeit a scrappy one. After that we began a 40 minute campaign of hoofing it long attempting to find Akinfenwa for the flick on. As a fan it was frustrating to watch.

During this period Stanley took control of the game. The penalty was one of the correct decisions the referee got right all day on both sides. Luckily for us Accrington missed the spot kick, however, after Alan Julians shocking error letting a ball bounce across his 6 yard box Stanley were deservedly level.

Thankfully at this point we decided to abandon the long ball game, and within minutes Barcham despatched a great finish to take us into the break 2-1 up. Very happy to see him back and firing well.

The second half continued as the first ended, and after Cody missed a sitter after some superb work from Bayo, he put it to bed swiftly with a nice headed finish after a superb Nutter cross.

All in all a great result that leaves us close enough to those automatic places.

STEVE PETERS

(Accrington fan)

"We may have been beaten on Saturday but I think we showed again that we can play a bit.

"The Gills defenders looked all over the place in the opening stages. Despite conceding early on heads didn’t drop and we were so unlucky to be behind at the break. The third goal really finished the game off for us.

"Luckily we have games in hand and can still make the play offs at a push. You may not have heard the last of us yet!"

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