Steve Evans wished he could have celebrated infront of Gillingham’s Rainham End on Wednesday and headed in that direction at the final whistle.

The Gills had just beaten Wigan Athletic after a hard fought battle to move up to sixth in the League 1 table. Last season a result like that would have seen Evans fist pump towards the home fans. He’s longing them to return.

Gillingham might not stay sixth for long, with the rest of the division playing on Good Friday, but they’re well in the mix with seven games left.

He said: “It is an opportunity for the fans of Gillingham Football Club to dream and look forward to Bank Holiday Monday (at Blackpool).

“I walked towards the Rainham End after the game, when the referee blew his whistle, I was almost going to give it the old fist pump. I miss them, Paul [Raynor, the assistant manager] misses them, our players miss them.

“We know that Rainham End would have erupted and we would have probably won by two or three because they would have sucked a couple more in and if we had of had fans in I think the referee would have given a penalty after three or four minutes as well.

“I was late getting back into the dressing room because I had been walking towards the Rainham End and when I got in it was brilliant to see the reaction of the players.

“We are still there. If we are within four or five points [of the play-offs] with six to go then it’s squeaky bum time for some of them. I know certain teams will be able to handle it but I am not sure some of those around us will be able to handle it.”

Report: Gillingham 1 Wigan 0

Reaction: The gamble paid off