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Gills striker Cody McDonald loves his partnership with Adebayo Akinfenwa but admits 'there's great competition up front'

Cody McDonald gives the Bradford defence no time to settle Picture: Barry Goodwin
Cody McDonald gives the Bradford defence no time to settle Picture: Barry Goodwin

It’s no secret Cody McDonald loves playing with Adebayo Akinfenwa but Gilingham’s top scorer is adamant all their strikers have a role to play.

McDonald took his tally to 14 goals for the season after combining with Akinfenwa to equalise at Bradford on Saturday.

It was Akinfenwa’s introduction at half-time that made the difference but on-loan Charlton forward Joe Pigott – who started at Bradford – is highly-rated, while Danny Kedwell is nearing fitness following a knee injury.

McDonald said: “I think Bayo helps me. We’ve played with each other for a long time now and we know each other.

“He knows my runs, I know where he’s going to put it, so it works well but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be us every week.

“Keds is probably going to be back in the next couple of weeks and Joe’s pushing for a starting place.

“There’s great competition up front. We’ve got nine games to go and maybe the manager will change it around but whoever I play with, I’m happy.”

“As a striker, you’ve got to stay on your toes in those situations. Bayo’s put me through and I’ve put it away."

McDonald did well to keep his concentration having seen little of the ball as Bradford dominated the first half.

And when the chance came his way from Akinfenwa’s pass, he finished through keeper Jon McLaughlin’s legs.

McDonald said: ““Early doors I got a couple of touches in but then I went a good 20-25 minutes where I didn’t touch it.

“As a striker, you’ve got to stay on your toes in those situations. Bayo’s put me through and I’ve put it away.

“People think he’s just up there to battle but the ball just sticks to him.”

Three defeats in a row had Gills looking over their shoulder but they responded with back-to-back wins over Crawley and Coventry, before coming from a goal down to draw at Bradford.

McDonald said: “The lads have dug in. We might not have played well all the time but as long as you compete at this level, you’re always in with a chance.

"We’ve given ourselves a great opportunity to stay in the league.”

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