John Marquis netted Gillingham’s equaliser against Coventry on his home debut.

But Gills coach Darren Hare admitted they were about to substitute the striker before he got the team right back into the League 1 clash.

The on-loan Millwall striker levelled the game in the 82 minute.

Hare said: “He had a couple of chances with his head just before that and Steve (Lovell) and I were on the side thinking we had to make a change, to maybe get some fresh legs on

“We warmed Luke (Norris) and Brennan (Dickenson) up.

“John had been terrific all game and he works so hard. He runs and runs and I said to Steve, ‘is he going to score a goal for us? - we could get Luke on’ and just as I said that John popped up with the goal.

“Unfortunately we had to say to Luke 'warm back down'.”

Marquis had seen a great first half chance saved while he had plenty of other opportunities in what was a busy afternoon for the 22-year-old.

“In football you get your rewards in the end,” said Hare.

“John worked his socks off for 80 minutes and if anyone deserved a goal it was him. I was so delighted for him. Brilliant.”