Our manager was pleased with many aspects of our performance this evening as we were eliminated from the Carabao Cup at the death by Gillingham.
Late goals from Mikael Mandron and Jordan Green stole victory from under the noses of the Dons in a game when Johnnie Jackson’s side did everything but score at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
Reflecting on the manner of the defeat, the gaffer stressed that he feels our side are on the right track as they continue to execute his tactics game by game.
“I was really pleased with big elements of the game. We created a number of openings and passed the ball well,” he said. “For long periods we looked solid defensively – to come away having not scored and conceded two is a bit jarring. But that’s football, you have to take your chances.
“We’ve had five minutes where we’ve switched off. From my point of view I’m not happy with the goals. They were defensive lapses.”
Johnnie made several changes to the side that drew 0-0 with Hartlepool United on Saturday, with many players getting their first proper run-outs of the campaign, including the likes of Nathan Broome and David Fisher.
Despite this we stroked the ball around well and our manager was impressed up to the final knockings of the game.
“If you had asked me on 89 minutes if I was happy with what I’d seen – apart from not scoring – I’d have said we’d been excellent. I can’t discount the last five minutes but I saw a lot of good stuff. The lads who haven’t been playing that came into the side have shown me that they understand the roles within the side and the system.”
The game could well have been changed by a big flashpoint in the second half, with Gillingham’s Ben Reeves appearing to kick out at Ayoub Assal as the Dons’ attacker lay prone on the floor. However the referee was unmoved by mass protests from the home crowd and only brandished a yellow card.
“I couldn’t really see to be honest. It looks like Reeves had a kickout,” said Johnnie. “I’ve played with him before and I’ve never seen him kick anyone but on another day that could have been a red. There were a few close calls that could have gone either way.
“I said that I don’t want to be an unlucky team. I’ll never be a manager that says unlucky after a defeat. I want to win every game and so should they. However they are working their socks off and giving everything for the shirt. That’s something that is non-negotiable and they’re giving me that. We’re definitely on the right track.”
PICS: Ian Stephen (Pro Sports Images)