More on KentOnline
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Gillingham manager Neil Harris bemoaned his side’s lack of quality up top at Harrogate after their game ended goalless.
There was no shortage of goalscoring threat in his team, playing Aiden O’Brien and Tom Nichols together in the starting eleven for the first time while Tim Dieng returned to a midfield unit that also included George Lapslie. It didn’t happen for the Gills on the day, however.
Harris said: “First 15 minutes I thought we were fantastic. We should have been in front, then I thought Harrogate were better playing down the slope for the rest of the first half. We just turned possession over too cheaply for my liking.
“In the second half we came out and were the better team. Glenn Morris (the Gills goalkeeper) had to make a couple of saves on the counter-attack but we got in really good positions, had some chances and put some really good balls into the box as well and just missed that cutting edge.
“I asked my players for character and mentality and we had that in abundance, we just didn’t have that moment of quality to win it.
“Both teams were playing 4-4-2 and getting the ball forward, both sets of centre-halves stood up pretty well. It was tough for Max (Ehmer) and Connor (Masterson) against their two centre forwards, they were a real handful. Oli (Hawkins) and Nico (Tom Nichols) I wouldn’t say they were at their absolutely best but were still a handful for 90 minutes and it only takes a moment for us to create something.
“Fair play to them as well but I was pleased to get back on the bus with a point.”
Commenting on that positive team selection, Harris said: “I feel Aiden gives us so much versatility to play off the left, right, upfront, Hawks and Nico have been excellent for me as a pair.
“Aiden has done really well since he has come in and just needs that goal to get going. We know Dieng and Lapslie are forward runners and have scored goals already. I felt like I had goalscorers in the team.
“Overall it’s a third game in the week, a clean sheet, looking at the league table after the results it’s another point gained (on the drop zone), delighted with the backing we got from our supporters, mega as usual and for us.
“I just want a little more quality when we have the ball at times but really pleased with a clean sheet.
“My only disappointment is that when we did take care of the ball better in the second half and when we put some really good balls in the box they either defended really well against us or we just didn’t quite have that anticipation to get that winner.”
