Highbury here we come
Published: 00:00, 06 February 2002
Gillingham 1 Bristol Rovers 0
BRING on the Gunners! That's what Gillingham supporters were singing last night as Andy Hessenthaler's men saw off Bristol Rovers to guarantee themselves a lucrative FA Cup fifth round tie with Arsenal at Highbury.
Gillingham totally dominated on a wet and windy night but their failure to kill the game off resulted in more than a few worrrying moments.
The only goal of the game came in the 31st minute when Ty Gooden's free kick was diverted into his own goal by Scot Jones.
Hessenthaler said afterwards: "To be honest, there was a lot of anxiety on the bench, especially from me. We weren't at our most convincing. But you had to take the conditions into account, and we were the favourites, which was unusual for us.
"We huffed and puffed at times but had enough chances in the second half. I thought their goalkeeper did very well and, on another day, better finishing might have seen us go on and win the game by two or three.
"All the time it was 1-0 we were a bit apprehensive and one mistake or lack of concentration could have let them back in. But you have got to give Rovers a lot of credit. They have been up against it themselves with suspensions and then the lad Hogg getting injured early on.
"But they came and had a right go at us. Garry Thompson is doing a good job there and full credit to him."
Rovers boss Thompson was philosophical and gracious in defeat. He said: "It just wasn't to be our day. The FA Cup dream is over for us now and we've got to put it behind us and win some league games because we can still do something this season."
Attendance: 9,772
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