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There were no celebrations from Gillingham’s Alex MacDonald as he hit a superb equaliser at Oxford but the midfielder admitted he was buzzing inside.
MacDonald helped Oxford to promotion from League 2 a few years ago and loved his time at the club but there’s no feeling that compares to a goal - especially one struck from 30 yards.
“It is always nice to score and it has been a while since my last one,” said the 31-year-old.
“It was bittersweet when you come to a place where you have fond memories and a great relationship with the football club and the fans but it is a goal that has helped the team come away with a hard-earned 1-1 draw.
“I had loads of time and space and it dropped to me nicely. It was there to be hit and luckily for me it nestled into the bottom corner.
“Whenever you score there is that real buzz inside that you can’t replicate, it was no different, but because of the respect and love I have for the club I didn't want to sour any taste (by celebrating).
“I won promotion with the club and spent some of the best years of my life there. My daughter went to her first school there, we met some fantastic friends, fantastic people who I still keep in touch with and every time I walk into the door at the ground I am welcomed with open arms by numerous people. It is a club that is close to my heart and I wish them every success.”
There was another hour of action following MacDonald’s goal and Oxford had more of the chances but couldn’t finish as the match ended level.
MacDonald said: “We are starting to find our way and a 1-1 draw away from Oxford is a good result.
“It was a dogged performance, hard working and we showed a lot of character and desire, especially after going 1-0 down early doors [Gills conceded after five minutes].
“It was a hard-fought point from a very honest group of players and everyone who has watched us, although we can be frustrating from not winning games, drawing them, they can never throw at us a lack of desire to try and win games. That is what we will continue to do all year.
“You have to respect the opposition and the opposition on Saturday in my opinion are one of the best in the league.
“It’s a good draw at Oxford but it is another draw [Gills have drawn five of nine league games so far]. We need to start turning the draws into wins; we need to start winning games if we want to get up this league.
“Tuesday (at Cambridge) we will looking to be as positive as we can and come away with something.”
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