Goals win games and Gillingham manager Steve Evans felt they had more than enough chances against Cheltenham.

The shot count on Tuesday night was pretty similar but the Gills were unable to convert their best efforts while visitors Cheltenham stuck two away to claim maximum points from the League 1 clash, winning 2-0.

Report: Gills 0 Cheltenham 2

It ended up being another miserable night for the Gills who are still short of players because of injuries. A goal in each half won it for Cheltenham but Evans looked back at those missed chances for his team.

“The game will never change,” the Gills manager said. “It is not about who we can pick and who we can’t pick, it is about goals, we missed opportunities to score and they took them.

“The one thing we know is that the players have given us absolutely everything, despite what players we have to pick from, but my overview is based on who takes their chances. We missed three golden opportunities to score, they have three and take two.

“Arguably we should defend both (of their goals) better and it looks a bit more comfy for them when they are 2-0 up, when we are putting 16 and 17-year-old boys onto the pitch just to protect the lads who have probably performed miracles to get through 80 minutes for us.

“John (Akinde) should have had a hat-trick, simple, he had three one-on-ones but there will be nobody more disappointed than the big fella, he prides himself and those chances have been his bread and butter over the years.

“We had one at Crewe as well when we were 1-0 down, he had one of those one-on-one moments and the goalkeeper makes a save.

"We just have to hope if the chances come on Saturday he puts them in but nobody will be going home to his family more disappointed than John.

“We played some good football and opened them up but we missed that bit of quality that Oliver gives you, that Dempsey gives you and Lloyd [all three are currently out injured].

“It is disappointing but I know I will sleep afterwards because the players and those youngsters have given everything for the cause.

“If it wasn’t for the dressing room I would be going home thinking what I am going to do tomorrow.

“My dressing room has given me everything and I watched that with my own eyes, I don’t need anyone to tell me that. The supporters know our players have given everything.”