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Gillingham manager Neil Harris considered resting Shaun Williams on Saturday but was glad he didn’t as the experienced man struck a last-gasp winner.
Williams, 36, played the full game in the week as Gillingham beat Crewe 2-1 and when he declared himself ready for another 90, Harris took the decision to go with him again and that faith was rewarded.
The Gills were up against the division’s top scorers but limited to them to just one shot on target all match and deservedly took all three points when Williams popped up inside the box to fire home the winner on 94 minutes.
Harris said: “I spoke to him on the morning of the game at length just about his role and really whether he felt he could go again and I had a good chat with Alex MacDonald on the Friday.
“Shaun is a few years older than Macca, but Macca has obviously had a horrific injury (last season). I spoke to Macca at length and he was desperate to play and wanted to play and I went for him because he has been mega at home.
“Willo I left until the morning of the game because the old boy has played back-to-back 90 minutes Saturday-Tuesday and has been the best player on the pitch in both games but then could he go again?
“It is not just about reading the game and having quality and composure, but it is about a big heart as well. He has managed the game with his brain and his quality and then played with a big heart and it’s no coincidence he scores the winning goal in the 94th minute to end up in their six yard box.
“I can’t praise him enough, he is a top professional, a top player. I called him a silent leader (in the week) and that doesn’t mean he hasn’t got banter and doesn’t talk to the players in a slightly different way than an aggressor but he has been magnificent.”
While Williams picked up the man-of-the-match champagne - and a nifty looking handle from the match sponsor - the team worked hard to ensure they kept Carlisle quiet.
Harris said: “It’s brilliant and great for us as a group and just continues the feel-good factor but brilliant for the fans, the people that come, work so hard to earn their money and don’t go home early any more because they are believing in their team.
“I didn’t see people streaming out on 91 minutes, I see them staying, they want to clap their team off after a strong performance and have trust and hope the team can come up with something.
“Carlisle are a difficult side to play against, not just because they have a good shape, an experienced manager and good players, but a goalkeeper that catches everything in his six yard box.
“Did we create loads? I thought we got into really good areas, we built the play brilliantly, took an extra touch at times. I thought Oli Hawkins first half was his best 45 minutes since he has been here and we built off him.
“It is just that final moment until the goal, where we got the ball into Dom (Jefferies), Aiden (O’Brien), Nico (Nichols), Timmy (Dieng) and Macca, we got into good areas and maybe didn’t find that killer moment, then say to the opponent well done to them as well, praise them. But when you need that moment of quality, we have Shaun Williams.”
