Peter Taylor hailed the impact of goalscoring defender John Egan as Gillingham took one step closer to Wembley.

Former Sunderland man Egan netted the winner against Leyton Orient in the area semi-final of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Saturday at Priestfield.

“I think he has been a really pleasing signing for us,” said Gills boss Taylor, who snapped Egan up on a free transfer in the summer.

“John is such a good fella and he is a leader. He is much older than what he is in that respect.

“Of course for us it is brilliant that he is so good on the football field. He is a very good player. He can play right-back, centre half, in the middle of midfield and the cherry on top of the cake is that he is such a good bloke and wants to win. We have made a good signing.”

Irishman Egan could have played Championship football this season, with the likes of Blackburn in the hunt for his signature, but regular first team football was key to him joining the Gills.

“We knew we wanted him and of course we were just praying that he wanted us,” said Taylor.

“Thankfully for us, he came here to play football and that’s exactly what has happened, so we are all happy.”

Read the full story in Monday's Medway Messenger