Gillingham boss Martin Allen rues first-half display in 2-1 defeat to Port Vale in League 2
Gills battle in vain as Port Vale hold on for
the points. Picture: Barry Goodwin
by Luke Cawdell
Gillingham boss Martin Allen was
disappointed with his side's slow start against Port
Vale.
Allen’s side conceded two early goals and were unable to get
back on level terms.
He said: “We were disappointed not to get
anything out of it. We had a terrific performance in the second
half and created numerous chances to try and get the equaliser, but
you would have to say you don’t want to be 2-0 down in the first
place.”
The Gills were a goal behind after just
three minutes as League 2’s leading scorer, Tom Pope, pounced.
“It is always disappointing to concede a
goal," said Allen.
"We pride ourselves on having good
discipline. We do work on the training ground which we then take on
to the football field and we highlight all the opposition’s
strengths and weaknesses and, of course, Pope is a danger. We are
all aware of his scoring record.
“He is a danger on the back post. But we
weren’t able to defend it.”
Lee Hughes was on target with the second
goal 18 minutes later.
Allen said: “From 2-0 down it’s a tough
call and hard for the players, because they could hide and they
could go under, but thankfully our players came back and gave
everything they’ve got. A brilliant goal from Danny Kedwell set it
up.
“I fully expected us to win in the second
half to be honest and we had numerous chances. There was a
goalmouth melee right at the end, where it was cleared off the
line, twice I think from where I was stood, but it wasn’t to
be.
“We have said that a few times now and so
we are going to have a look at it and try and improve it. We have
to work out why and how we can improve ourselves and I include
myself in that, all of us, we can be better here in front of our
fans.”
Defeat for the Gills saw Vale leapfrog them
at the top of the table.
“Had we won we would have been five points
clear with a game in hand and that would have definitely been
significant, there is no doubt about that,” said Allen.
“We have had a setback, after two fantastic
performances away from home, but we now need to dust ourselves
down, rest the players and get them back together.
"Together we will chat about the game
before we start preparing for Rochdale (next weekend). We have to
improve what we do here (at Priestfield).”
12/01/13
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