Gillingham’s defensive resolve pleased the manager on Saturday once they got over a wild opening 15 minutes at Salford.

Play-off chasing Salford responded to Gillingham’s opener, after 90 seconds from Elliott Nevitt, hitting back with two goals of their own inside the first quarter of an hour. Remeao Hutton equalised on 25 minutes and that’s how it stayed, finishing 2-2.

Report: Salford 2 Gillingham 2

The second half saw Salford have plenty of the ball in and around the Gillingham box but goalkeeper Glenn Morris was protected well. Gills made 52 clearances in the match, limiting Salford to just four shots on target from their 14 in total.

Boss Gareth Ainsworth, now with three draws from three games, said: “It’s another point and a great second-half display of resolute and resilient defending.

“There were some cracking goals in the game, and it was definitely one for the neutral, with some real good goals and some good play in the first half especially.

“It's a battle and I don't want to keep blaming the wind, but we had it at Harrogate last week, and Salford this week. There's a lot of wind in these stadiums that aren't massive and you feel it on the pitch. There was a lack of quality at times from both teams.

“We didn't create much second half and they didn't create much. There were balls coming into our box. Joe Gbode's had a real great effort (at the other end) and it was going to be that, it was going to be a moment in the game. Neither team got it second half. All the damage was done in the first half.”

Speaking about the goals, Ainsworth said: “They scored a couple of goals and we're quite annoyed about one of them, I think there was a set-up error, and then another one, there's a lot of space given. We've got loads of stuff to work on.

“Remeao (who scored the second) wasn't really meant to be closing down their centre half but just decided to do it, I'm glad he did, because he intercepted it and on his left foot, bent one in the top corner, the goal of the game, and ultimately gets us the point.

“There were some real good performances, and like I say, resilience, defensive and at half-time, I said, ‘Don't lose this half. We wanted to win the (second) half and at the worst come away with a draw and that's what they've done.

“To take a point home from Salford, a team in and around the play-offs, probably just burst their bubble on that and they probably just can't make it, I don't know, but we'll take that all day because these have been in the play-offs at some stage this season.

“It proves that we can match it but I want more than matching it, I want to beat teams, I want to get out there and prove we can beat teams and we'll get there.

“I'm pleased to take a point away from home, I always say that. I'd have taken it (before the game) but then you don't want to say to 350 or 400 travelling fans that we're going for a point, I'd never do that.

“I will admit, with five minutes to go, I said to (assistant boss) Dobbo, ‘I'll take a point now’, and we saw it out well, but you're never going to a game negative. I think that we can win every game. I really thought it was our day.

“The fans were brilliant again, got right behind us, but we didn't match the quality we had on Tuesday at home on probably a nicer pitch, no disrespect. (The Salford pitch) cut up a little bit here and there.

“Three draws is still decent. We're unbeaten and I'm pleased that I've seen some real decent defensive resolution from the back three, the two wing-backs, the two midfielders in front of them, really good.

“We knew it would be a tough game. Salford have got some real good individuals and my boys stood up to it well in the second half.

“I’m really proud of the boys. They emptied the tank, non-negotiable, and when you see Elliot (Nevitt) just absolutely shot to pieces at the end, coming off.

“Oli Hawkins has been ripped, and he doesn't get the fouls he deserves, by the way. If he was 5'9", he'd be getting (given) fouls every ten minutes, but because he's 6'7", they don't give fouls against him. I'm really disappointed with that, because I had that with Akinfenwa (at Wycombe). I've got it again with Oli, we're going to have to deal with that.

“They came off the pitch absolutely shattered, given everything. It's what we are now. We've got this identity, we'll empty the tank, we'll give you everything and if we get it wrong, come at me, because that'll be my fault. If they get it right, give them the credit, because they're knackered.

“They've got a point and getting a point away from home is always a good day.”

The Gills managed two goals in a game for the first time since a 2-2 draw with Cheltenham just before Christmas, ending a run of 19 games where one goal was the best they could muster.

They’d managed more than one goal on only three other occasions and this was the first time they’d done it away from home this season. It’s hardly something to celebrate but certainly suggests progress.

“It’s a real positive and we’ve scored in every game (since taking charge), which is good,” said Ainsworth.

“I think people were saying before I came, goal scoring is an issue and it was. You look at the stats, they don't lie.

“I'm really pleased to get the goals. It's another one of my wing-backs (Hutton). We've got three for the wing-backs and one for the forwards. I'm sure that will change over time.

“It's a work in progress. It really is this season. People are wondering what's happening next season. There's a contract situation. What are we going to be?

“I'm trying to improve the environment. I'm trying to improve the training ground and everything around it. There's all sorts of things that need to be done. Not just what you see on a Saturday.

“There's loads until you start getting that consistent performance on a Saturday. Two goals away from home. Any manager would take that.”