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Gillingham defender Deji Oshilaja hopes for more clean sheets, ahead of Chesterfield home game

Defender Deji Oshilaja says the Gills are itching to keep a clean sheet.

Gillingham have been vulnerable at the back all season and only once in the league have they managed to keep out the opposition.

They conceded from a corner against Port Vale on Saturday but a last-gasp Josh Parker goal ensured they didn’t lose.

Deji Oshilaja attempts to block a Port Vale clearance Picture: Andy Jones
Deji Oshilaja attempts to block a Port Vale clearance Picture: Andy Jones

Oshilaja said: “We don’t want to concede goals. Every defender should hate conceding. It happens, we brush it off and have to make sure we don’t concede again.

“A clean sheet is something we are itching for and I am sure we will get it in the next game coming up. We do work hard defensively.”


Match report: Gillingham 1 Port Vale 1


The Gills face second bottom Chesterfield on Tuesday night.

Oshilaja has been among the goals recently, scoring at Bradford and against Shrewsbury. His role at left back is allowing him to get forward.

“It is a position I enjoy playing,” he said. “I get on the ball as well and that is something I like doing. I used to play as an attacker and I still work hard on that. I’m starting to reap the rewards.

“I try to be as attacking as I can be also as good defensively. I’m a defender first and have to remember that. I have to be solid but also go forward and help your team score.”

The Gills have drawn their last four games but left it late on Saturday.

“We felt like we deserved more but we’ll take a point,” said the on-loan Cardiff defender.

“It was one of those games that you think, ‘is it going to come?’, but when you look at our team we have a lot of match winners and some good positive players coming off the bench.


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“It was a great cross (from Jay Emmanuel-Thomas) and a great header (by Parker). We have the players who can make a difference and we believed we would get that goal.

“We believe in our ability as a team and know we can score goals. We keep going to the end.

“It is always good to get a late goal, especially as we were so close to losing the game. A point is better than nothing, we will take it as a positive and move on to the next game.”

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