Gillingham manager Neil Harris expected opponents Lincoln City would dominate possession on Saturday and was delighted his plan to counter it paid off.

Despite the Imps having possession stats close to 70% it was the Gills who had the better chances and scored twice to clinch a 2-0 win, boosting their quest for survival while dragging Lincoln towards a scrap they weren’t bargaining on when the season kicked off.

• Report: Lincoln 0 Gillingham 2

It’s a win that leaves the Gills three points from safety.

Reflecting on the performance at Sincil Bank, Harris said: “Lincoln had a lot of the football and we know they are a really good, well-drilled, well-coached football team with the football and we knew we would have to be disciplined, the shape would have to be good and we would have to really take care of the ball on the counter attack and that was for 90 minutes.

“The first half I felt we controlled the game, they had more of the football but we controlled the areas they had it, playing it into our strengths, and when we did regain possession and countered we looked a real threat. Ultimately we should have been 2-0 up at half-time with Thommo’s effort off the line and a great save from Robbie McKenzie that goes onto the post.

“Second half you always fear they are going to be better, I thought they got into good areas and started well in the opening period where they were good with the ball but we stood strong and there were two moments of real quality (for the goals).”

Vadaine Oliver rose to head home the opener on 75 minutes before Ben Thompson struck a second in stoppage-time.

Harris said: “It might seem easy to head the ball into the net from six yards but the counter attack and the build up to that and the timing of V’s movement was first class and the second goal was exceptional from a very, very good player.

“I am ecstatic for the players and ecstatic for the football club and the fans that travelled, it was a well deserved three points.

“Lincoln were good, their possession stats will be high, they dominated the ball from box to box but we forced them into areas we wanted them to go, I picked a team and a shape where we dictated where the ball would go around us, I thought the four midfield players who played in a box, a diamond formation, they were absolutely excellent.”

It’s back to back clean sheets for the Gills, following their goalless draw with Wimbledon on Tuesday. It’s the first time they’ve managed successive lockouts this season.

Harris said: “Defensively we were excellent, really good. There won’t be many clips to pick out where we weren’t quite right.

“With the ball it would be really easy to pick out 10-12 times when we had control of the possession and picked the right pass, a diagonal, a ball down the side of them to get into a good area and then there will be six or seven where we should do better.

"There is still a long way to go and areas to improve but you can see a team that is enjoying being out there and is playing with confidence.”